Steve Kuhn Trio
Live At Birdland
Blue Note Records

Sometimes you can just feel it in the air, or sense it during a song: a musician's time has finally come. First was Charles Tolliver's surprise return from the background with his hard hitting big band release. Now, Blue Note has brought another overlooked artist into the spotlight: pianist Steve Kuhn. He's put out his share of classics, notably "October Suite" way back in 1966, but he's mostly known as being the last pianist for John Coltrane before Tyner took the chair. Being jazz's Pete Best is not exactly what one would like to be most known for: this disc should change all that. Teaming up with old friends Ron Carter (bass) and Al Foster (drums), Kuhn displays all of the qualities that have allowed him to keep a steady life as a jazz musician: impeccable timing, limitless ideas, a sense of swing along a crystal clear tone. His rendition of "Jitterbug Waltz" stretches from Fats Waller to Lizst to post bop. His fingers dance on the keys during "If I were a Bell" as if crystal were being struck. His glassy tone bounces jubilantly on the bluesy original "Two by Two." The entire band is groovin' high on the closing "Confirmation." This is a band that can go 0-60 in 4.8 seconds; Foster and Carter are masters at this type of music. Mainstream, where all of the trees get their nourishment. Could well be one of the top ten new releases of the year.


-George W. Harris