The great pianist
Michel Petrucciani recorded for the
Dreyfus label during the six years before his 1999 death. Producer/label owner
Francis Dreyfus is worried about
Petrucciani being underrated if not completely forgotten, so he put together this sampler of previously released material covering the pianist's 2Dreyfus period.
Petrucciani is heard solo, dueting with his father guitarist
Tony Petrucciani ("Michel's Blues"), interacting with organist
Eddy Louiss, in a trio with bassist
Anthony Jackson and drummer
Steve Gadd, collaborating with violinist
Stephane Grappelli (the boppish "Little Peace in C for U" and "Pennies From Heaven"), playing in a sextet with valve trombonist
Bob Brookmeyer, and being joined by the Graffiti String Quartet. "Pennies From Heaven" was only previously out on a privately issued CD.
Dreyfus did a fine job of picking out the most exciting and emotional selections from his catalog of
Petrucciani gems, so one gets to hear one highpoint after another throughout this single-CD sampler.
Michel Petrucciani was one of the greats and
So What offers plenty of evidence. ~ Scott Yanow