Music Keeps Us Young

It is extremely difficult to believe that was 76 at the time of this frequently lively recording. For the trio set with bassist and drummer , performs five originals and six jazz standards with creativity and swing. The repertoire (which has among its highlights and a 10 1/2-minute exploration of "Body and Soul," "Naima," "Up Jumped Spring," and the pianist's most famous composition, "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free") is generally boppish, spontaneous and quite accessible, mixing together medium-tempo romps with ballads. Although always a bit underrated as a pianist, the seemingly ageless had by 1996 been recording for over 52 years! ~ Scott Yanow