Going Express in Bloomington, MN

Helen Sung
has shown much growth as a leader, though this is only her fourth CD as a leader. Winner of the
Mary Lou Williams
Piano Competition and a graduate of the
Thelonious Monk
Institute of Jazz Performance,
Sung
is on fire throughout this live set at
the Jazz Standard
, where she's joined by saxophonist
Seamus Blake
, bassist
Lonnie Plaxico
, and drummer
Eric Harland
. Her dazzling approach to
Cole Porter
's
"Love for Sale"
blends post-bop with Latin jazz and a bit of Afro-Cuban jazz, with
Blake
's potent tenor providing the perfect foil for her. Her renditions of two
Monk
compositions show plenty of imagination. Disguising the introduction to
"In Walked Bud,"
she romps through it with the rhythm section. A surprising choice is
"Eronel,"
a song infrequently recorded, but
has done her homework, keeping its whimsical essence while also showcasing
Plaxico
at length in their duo performance. Her lyrical setting of
Billy Strayhorn
"Lotus Blossom"
has a surprising twist, as it is a duet with
Harland
. The pianist's originals are also impressive. The fierce post-bop vehicle
"Going Express"
is a solid opener, with
's adventurous soprano sax and furious piano leading the way. Two bonus tracks (
's infectious
"Duplicity"
and an expressive version of
Charlie Chaplin
"Smile"
that takes it well away from its subtle theme) and
Billy Childs
' aural liner notes are only accessible for playback via computer. ~ Ken Dryden