Chicago pianist and educator Ron Surace makes a sharp change in direction from his two previous releases for the Southport label. His first CDs were devoted entirely to his own compositions; here, he goes with classic standards with just one original. With his rococo styling, Surace finds his antecedents in Art Tatum and Erroll Garner. Among his contemporaries, he recalls the approach of longtime Washington, D.C., mainstay Johnny Eaton as he gives each cut a thorough, thoughtful going over. One has to listen closely to catch the melody as he plays a snippet, then embellishes on what he has just teased the listener with. "Everything I Have Is Yours" shows how the pianist can shift stylistic gears as he starts off without benefit of his two cohorts -- at least, they can't be heard over Surace's runs and arpeggios -- before segueing into a more traditional piano trio approach slipping in between Tatsu Aoki's bass and Dave Pavkovic's on point rim shots. The debt to Garner is especially apparent on "I Only Have Eyes for You," especially in the right-hand strumming of the chords. Surace, on occasion, likes to engage in playful introductions camouflaging the rhythmic and harmonic invention that's to follow, such as on a waltzing "Suddenly." Surace makes a nod toward the blues on "Sweet Lorraine." This tune gets a more stripped-down-to-the-essentials rendition than other tunes on the play list, again with major participation by Aoki as he and the piano trade chords. If you're in need of a new jazz piano trio CD, and even if you're not, this one deserves highest consideration. Recommended. Kudos to Southport for continuing to record the best of what Chicago has to offer in the way of jazz artistry. ~ Dave Nathan