One thing that Jones has are impressive chops, and they serve him well with this live recording at Steinway Hall in 1997

Not every jazz artist who comes along needs to be an innovator -- very few of the jazzers who emerged in the 1980s and 1990s were -- but every improviser should try to develop his or her own sound. Though Mike Jones isn't innovative or groundbreaking, the acoustic swing pianist does have his own sound: one that combines a strong Oscar Peterson influence with a healthy appreciation of stride piano and pre-bop -- pre-Bud Powell, pre-Thelonious Monk pianists such as Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, Fats Waller, and Erroll Garner. Another thing that Jones has are impressive chops, and they serve him well on this CD, which was recorded live at New York's Steinway Hall in 1997. Playing unaccompanied solo piano, Jones brings his light touch and his appealing lyricism to such standards as 'The Things We Did Last Summer,' 'These Foolish Things,' and 'Lullaby of the Leaves.' And because he's unaccompanied, Jones has no problem changing tempos a lot within the course of a song -- something that keeps listeners on their toes and prevents his set from becoming the least bit predictable.

Track Listing

• This Can't Be Love
• These Foolish Things
• I Want To Be Happy
• I'm Through With Love
• It Happened In Monterey
• Once In Awhile
• Kelly's Blues
• Lullaby Of The Leaves
• The Things We Did Last Summer
• I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby
• I'm Glad There Is You

Additional Details

Label: Chiaroscuro Records

Genre: Jazz

Run Time: 68:08 mins

Release Date: 03/04/02

UPC: 091454036424