When You're Smiling in Bloomington, MN

Of the many recordings
Duke Jordan
did for the
Steeplechase
label while living in Copenhagen as an expatriate, he did two with bassist
Jesper Lundgaard
and drummer
Billy Hart
, and they are both included on this double-CD set. Those recordings
As Time Goes By
and
Time on My Hands
yield this reissue of 26 selections, which are changed and mixed-up from the original track listings to offer a variance between interpretations of
standards
and originals written by the leader. Interestingly enough, the 11 sides from 1979 have the trio almost exclusively doing
Jordan
originals, while the sessions from six years later in 1985 have the same trio doing American Popular Song interpretations. The time gap in between makes one curious about the why's and wherefore's. Also, the 1985 sessions were initially on LP but not CD, making this release somewhat rare. The musicianship, of course, is first rate, as you clearly hear
's sensitive, thoughtful, lyrical, and witty style buoyed by the chattering bass playing of
Lundgaard
and the snap-crackle drumming of the always masterful
Hart
. This effort comes recommended to those discovering
, which if you haven't, you shouldn't waste more precious time finding out about this great
jazz
pianist. ~ Michael G. Nastos