Cyrus Chestnut Trio
Journeys
Jazz Legacy Productions
www.jazzlegacyproductions.com
By George W. Harris

Pianist and pastor Cyrus Chestnut finally seems at home on this label. After being on labels that had him doing stuff from Elvis to Charlie Brown, he seems to be given the freedom to write his own stuff, and do it the way he wants. Here, along with Dezron Douglas/b and Neal Smith/dr, he spotlights his compositional skills as well as his rich chops as he produces music for the mind and soul. Songs like “Eyes Of An Angel” and “Goliath” have a down home Sunday feel, while “In The Still Hours” even includes part of the hymn “How I Need Thee.” And, when it’s delivered by a worship leader like Chestnut, you know you’re not getting it from someone reading from a teleprompter! The band works like a rope of three strands on “Lover” and ”Journeys” with everyone contributing, but no one getting in the way. Exhibit A for going to Chestnut’s church when he’s in town.