Alan Pasqua's
My New Old Friend is mostly a set of sensitive and relaxed trio improvisations.
Pasqua, bassist
Darek Oles and drummer
Peter Erskine, three of the top jazz musicians based in Los Angeles, perform subtle reshapings of five standards which alternate with six of
Pasqua's generally introspective originals. One is reminded of
Bill Evans (particularly on the standards) in
Pasqua's sophisticated chord voicings and the close interplay of the musicians, but that is only a point of reference rather than a direct copy. However fans of
Evans' treatments of ballads will certainly enjoy this accessible and thoughtful effort. ~ Scott Yanow