Search - Bill Mays :: Summer Sketches

Swinging into Summer with "Summer Sketches"

gburks@pdq.net | Houston, TX United States | 05/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Summer Sketches" is great news for fans of straight-ahead jazz. This CD features Bill Mays on piano, Matt Wilson on drums and Martin Wind on bass. As the title suggests, the theme of the album is summer. Some tunes are originals penned by the musicians themselves, while others are instantly recognizable pieces by venerable tunesmiths. The musical moods shift from languorously romantic ballads ("Estate") to impressionistic musings ("Fireflies") to stomp-your-foot blues ("Gotta Go to Summer School") to the yearnings created by the unexpected use of bowed bass for the lead into "The Things We Did Last Summer." Mays, as usual, plays with lush lyricism, intelligence, eloquence and humor, stamping each tune with his interpretation, yet always allowing the essence of the song to come through. He is a jazz treasure of protean abilities, who can re-invent a song, yet who manages always to let the music speak for itself. His formidable pianistic technique is seemingly effortless, but he never allows his prowess to interfere with the music's statement. Wind and Wilson ably abet him here. The trio employs thoughtful interplay and improvisation, yet they are always cohesive. Listening to this CD, you can almost see the musicians watching one another, picking up sonic cues. This musical symbiosis is helped by the transparency of the recording and the even balance among the instruments. There is something here for any lover of jazz."

Pretty nice piano trio music

Ian Muldoon | Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia | 09/03/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In some circles to describe music as "pretty" or "nice" is to be derogatory of it, but I mean it in this instance as a compliment. The music by Mr Mays, Mr Wilson (drums) and Mr Wind (Bass) is not ground breaking, but skilled impressionistic interpretations of a handful of standards THE THINGS WE DID LAST SUMMER, INDIAN SUMMER etc and a couple of originals, one by each of the players. Noteworthy: the sounds of sprinkling water created at the opening of SUMMER NIGHT by the drummer and other effects throughout the programme; the music has been beautifully recorded at Maggie's Farm; prominent bass work throughout by Mr Wind. In summary a pleasant programme of easy listening, piano music lovers especially take note."