Down East in Bloomington, MN

Peter Zak
has greatly increased his exposure with a series of outstanding CDs for
Steeplechase
. This trio date with bassist
Peter Washington
and drummer
Rodney Green
covers a lot of ground: popular standards, jazz favorites, and infrequently played jazz works.
Zak
's lyricism is displayed in his treatment of
Duke Ellington
's 1940s ballad
"I Didn't Know About You."
The pianist dives full-force into
Duke Pearson
's
"Is That So?"
with his lively improvising in a brisk arrangement.
Thelonious Monk
"Gallop's Gallop"
isn't recorded much at all, but it is one of his most challenging tunes, with multiple twists that the trio negotiate with ease as they deliver a stimulating performance.
Clifford Brown
"Tiny Capers"
tends to be overshadowed by his pieces
"Joy Spring"
and
"Daahoud,"
though it makes a terrific, intricate duo vehicle for
Washington
. The standards include lush settings of
Henry Mancini
"Dreamsville"
George Gershwin
"Who Cares?"
(the latter played at a luxurious, deliberate tempo). Finally, is are a trio of excellent originals by the leader, including
"Sector 7"
(a driving post-bop vehicle), the stimulating bossa nova
"He Said/She Said,"
and the breezy finale
"Down East."
Highly recommended! ~ Ken Dryden