Holly Hofmann
's seventh CD as a leader was recorded during an extended live engagement at
Birdland
, with frequent collaborators
Bill Cunliffe
on piano and
Victor Lewis
on drums, as well as a special guest, bassist
Ray Brown
. The diverse program includes the bassist's upbeat
"Brown Bossa,"
a lyrical treatment of
Mal Waldron
's
"Soul Eyes,"
creative approaches to
Duke Ellington
"Mood Indigo"
and
"In a Sentimental Mood"
(the latter a superb duet by
Hofmann
Brown
), and a turbocharged take of
Oscar Pettiford
hard bop
classic
"Bohemia After Dark."
Regardless of the song or style,
never has to resort to the gimmicks that many players of her instrument often resort to; she is a convincing soloist on every track. The intimate sound achieved by engineer
Bruce Egre
gives the listener the feeling of being in the center of the front row at this modern Manhattan landmark. ~ Ken Dryden