During his long career,
André Ceccarelli has recorded sporadically as a leader, but this studio affair should open a few doors. Accompanied by the talented Gypsy guitarist
Bireli Lagrene and organist
Joey DeFrancesco, the drummer puts together a wide-ranging set, delving into standards, swing, bop, jazz fusion, and more. His approach to
Duke Ellington's gorgeous "Sophisticated Lady" is soft, as he provides minimal brushwork to back his musical partners. The decades-old chestnut "Summertime" slowly simmers in a thoughtful arrangement honoring the organist's mentor, the late
Jimmy Smith. The leader finally cuts loose with the brief "Prelude," which segues into a romp through "April in Paris," while
Jaco Pastorius' "Three Views of a Secret" showcases both
Lagrene's lyrical side and his virtuosity. The one disappointment of the date is the rather lame
Norah Jones composition "Sunrise," which pales in comparison to the other tracks on this enjoyable CD. ~ Ken Dryden