Flautist
Holly Hofmann
and pianist
Bill Cunliffe
follow up an earlier duo session with this 2003 release,
Just Duet, Vol. 2
, though this effort is more wide ranging. Each of them is an accomplished musician who seems to anticipate where the other is going. Their love of
classical
music is reflected in the choice of music by
Vivaldi
,
Carl Philip Emanuel Bach
, and
Frederick Delius
(though compositions by the latter two men are rarely heard in
jazz
settings). A playful
bop
treatment of
"My Romance"
and a gorgeous take of
"If You Could See Me Now."
Their campy interpretation of
Jelly Roll Morton
's
"Black Bottom Stomp"
is anything but old-fashioned. Both players are also superb composers.
Cunliffe
's driving tribute to pianist
Chucho Valdes
(
"Chucho"
) adds percussionist
Brad Dutz
, while his inspired uptempo
blues
"Bone Crusher"
is also a treat.
Hofmann
's dazzling
"M.ore I.ngenious K.inetic E.nergy"
is a demanding piece that pushes the players to their limits. Recommended. ~ Ken Dryden