Solal, Martial
Blue Note, 2003, CD
Instrument: Piano
Issue: 9.2
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: This trio includes Franois Moutin (b), Bill Stewart (d) and leader, pianist Martial Solal. They operate on the edge of neobop, toughing on free jazz with their spontaneous improvisation. The music really blossoms in from of the appreciative crowd at New York’s Village Vanguard. There’s enough structure on classics like “What Is This Thing Called Love” to appeal to broader audiences. But this is truly first class, straight-ahead jazz, especially songs like “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise”.