Skipper and Crew

Reviews:

"3Bop" - Phil Wright

From Cadence Vol. 31, No. 10, October 2005

Holy Land / Beatrice / I'm Gonna Go Fishin' / Monsieur Philippe / My Old Flame / Spanish Eyes / Norwegian Eyes / Shadow Dance / Step Lightly / Broadway. 55:48. Wright, p; Henry Franklin, b; Donald Dean, d. Pasadena, CA, Oct. 7 - Nov. 8, 2006. Here's more than fifty-five minutes of tasteful Jazz performed by three gentlemen not exactly household names but well worth listening to again. Pianist Phil Wright, who has served as music director/accompanist for such well-known artists as Ernie Andrews, Nancy Wilson, Abbey Lincoln, Joe Williams, Lou Rawls and Barbara Morrison, perpetuates the venerable tradition of Bop piano begun by Bud Powell, John Lewis, Al Haig and others, and carried forward to the present by a multitude of virtuosic disciples. Wright's smooth, easygoing style meshes perfectly with his colleagues, bassist Henry Franklin and drummer Donald Dean, to produce a delightful session that never drags or disappoints. And with a group name like 3Bop, one can be reasonably assured about the contents of the package even before it is opened. Once it is, the listener will encounter a charming array of songs including two by Wright ("Monsieur Philippe," "Shadow Dance") and amiable themes by Ellington, Cedar Walton, Sam Rivers, and Sam Coslow/Arthur Johnson ("My Old Flame"), among others. As a change of pace, the '50s pop hit "Spanish Eyes" is followed by the seductive "Norwegian Eyes," on which Franklin's sonorous bass is particularly impressive. The trio closes on a swinging note with "Broadway." It's always a kick to hear a piano trio that plays this well, especially when its members are this accomplished.

Jack Bowers

Copyright 2007, Cadence Magazine - ph: 315-287-2852

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