Producing a darker tone from the Maybeck Yamaha piano than do some other participants in the series,
Kenny Barron gets a chance to flaunt a wider range of his influences than he usually does in a group format.
Barron opens with a stride-ish "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You," which sports a few minor fluffs (this is live, folks), and then explores a number of diverse styles under the bop umbrella.
Barron's "Bud-Like" has reminiscences of "Un Poco Loco," built on an ostinato bass pattern most of the way, with a witty "Bemsha Swing." As usual with Maybeck, the sound of the hall's bright, brittle Yamaha piano is brilliantly captured. ~ Richard S. Ginell