How It Is

is an example of a creative modern pianist who often gets overlooked despite being a superior musician. swings, has his own voice within the tradition, and is an excellent songwriter, contributing three of the seven selections to this enjoyable CD. The pianist is teamed with the trumpeter , altoist , bassist , and drummer for three of his songs, a drastic rearrangement of an song ( ), 's and a ten-minute version of The solos are expressive and often fiery, and the playing is at a consistently high level. Easily recommended to modern collectors. ~ Scott Yanow