Pianist Mulgrew Miller carved out an impressive career during his all too short life as a sideman for the likes of Art Blakey, Ron Carter and Kenny Garrett. Always displaying a melodic sense of style and swing, he was one of the class of pianists who never seemed to make a wrong note. This recoding of him in a solo performance back in 2004 in Barcelona, Spain finds him in wondrous form, showing his inspirations such as Monk, Dizzy, Miles and Duke, and giving inspired reads in the process.
His left hand is deft on the graceful pulse of “Milestones” and bounces with delight for the bopping “Woody’n You’> A sensuous samba “O Grande Amor” has rich ripples, wile Cole Porter’s “I Love You” has a solo that is hummable all the way through. The stars sparkle during “It Never Entered My Mind” and Miller is coy with “Just Squeeze Me (But Don’t Tease Me)”. Then, you’ve got a relaxed and late night-mooded “Excursions In Blue” that oozes relaxed saudade. This was a man that had feelings in his fingertips.