Arbors
has become the home of a quality cadre of traditional-minded
jazz
musicians. While this has made the label ideal for older players like
Ruby Braff
and
Bucky Pizzarelli
,
isn't just about nostalgia for
traditional jazz
.
The Michiko Ogawa Trio
, for instance, centers on a talented Japanese pianist who's fairly new to the scene. On her first album for the label,
It's All About Love
, she's joined by bassist
Phil Flanigan
and drummer
Ed Metz Jr
. The material is grounded in
classic jazz
with versions of familiar pieces like
"I Cover the Waterfront,"
"All of Me,"
"Body and Soul."
The trio is occasionally augmented by tenor
Harry Allen
and the overall program is bolstered here and there with
Ogawa
's vocals. Indeed, it's the presence of
's vocals on a rhythm-friendly
"All of Me"
and the bass-heavy
"What Is This Thing Called Love?"
that work best here. Only a couple of cuts exceed the six-minute mark on
, meaning that the arrangements are lean and tight. The variation of straight trio pieces with vocals and
Allen
's tenor also keeps the disc from falling into an overly familiar groove. Fans of
modern jazz
and the classic songbook will enjoy
the Michiko Ogawa Trio
. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.