After attending an annual boogie-woogie concert organized by
Mark Braun (
Mr. B.),
Monty Alexander headed a recording project that paid tribute to both boogie-woogie and spirituals. Five pianists participated, performing two numbers apiece, with four of the players (all but
Alexander) playing a pair of duets.
Alexander,
Eric Reed, and
Johnny O'Neal are better known nationally than
Bob Seeley and
Mark Braun, but all five pianists fare well, stretching beyond boogie-woogie and spirituals to include a few swing standards and even a bluish duet on
Benny Golson's "Whisper Not." Recommended to boogie-woogie fans and the curious. ~ Scott Yanow