Duo piano recordings have been dismissed as a gimmick by many critics and even a few pianists, including the late
Tommy Flanagan
, but the pairing of two pianists often produces outstanding results. This is the case in the pairing of
Oliver Jones
(a Canadian who deserves to be better known worldwide) with the legendary
Hank Jones
, who remains active into his nineties and who has recorded duo piano albums with
Flanagan
,
George Shearing
, and
John Lewis
, in addition to taking part in the one-off
Jazz Piano Quartet
with
Dick Hyman
Sir Roland Hanna
Marian McPartland
. The sessions are a tribute in part to
Oscar Peterson
, as both men knew him well and
Oliver
studied piano with
Peterson
's sister. They add a rhythm section (bassist
Brandi Disterheft
and drummer
Jim Doxas
) on the first three tracks, highlighted by a soulful, gospel-inflected take of
"Groove Merchant."
Five of the remaining seven selections are duo piano sans rhythm section, including a romp through
"Makin' Whoopee,"
an elegant
"Star Eyes,"
and two powerful interpretations of
originals
"Blues for Big Scotia"
and
"Cakewalk."
has two solo features, a thoughtful rendition of
"Monk's Mood"
William Steigmeyer
's rarely performed
"Lonely Woman."
Both pianists are on hand for
' warm tribute to
"I Remember OP."
~ Ken Dryden