Encounters

Pianist 's star is on the rise with this, his second CD as a leader. The recording represents a duality -- moving ahead with new material he has written, as well as tapping on some old and playing trio versions of compositions he knew when he was working with alto saxophonist . No matter the material, is rendering whatever he plays with an effortless brilliance that distinguishes him as one of the top three young pianists on the contemporary scene, right up there with and . One of the ex- repertoire tunes is the appropriately titled the opening tune and the highlight of the CD. As quirky and jumpy as the title suggests, it is a springboard for , bassist and drummer (not coincidentally bandmates of ) to jump into some fiercely swinging music. is the other one, but extrapolated upon in a darker, freer, understated mood than the original. is admittedly searching for voicings during the implied light is somber on the former dedicated to ex-mentor, the late drummer . Multiple, dizzying rhythm changes with a 4/4 framework shift and downshift at will during and the run- away finale has a funky, near nuance with 's two-hand chordal accents. This tune and a take of 's are most like 's witty, clipped and edited then extroverted Zen streaming technical attributes, stopping and starting melodic phrases at will. It's astonishing for sure. Pay close attention to -- he's a comer, a keeper, and the next major modern pianist to emerge as a major player, if he's not there already. ~ Michael G. Nastos