From 1963-1967, pianist
Monty Alexander played regularly at Jilly's in New York City, a popular hangout where
Frank Sinatra would occasionally drop in and, on very rare occasions, sing a song or two. This trio set with bassist
John Patitucci and drummer
Troy Davis gives
Alexander an opportunity to pay tribute to both Jilly's and
Sinatra. Performing 13 of the many hundreds of songs associated with the singer,
Alexander plays melodic and swinging versions of such tunes as "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Just One of Those Things," "Fly Me to the Moon," "Come Fly with Me," and "Here's That Rainy Day," among others. The songs are mostly pretty familiar, and
Alexander does not stretch himself all that much (the only real departure is his haunting unaccompanied melodica solo on "Strangers in the Night"), but his renditions are quite enjoyable and accessible. ~ Scott Yanow