SUNDAY AT THE RIVERSIDE: THE BEST OF JAZZ PIANO - (10 CDs)

The piano trio in Jazz – it does not get more essential than this. On these ten CDsfteen excellent alliances of piano, bass, and drums present prime examplesof what has often been called Jazz’ “chamber music”. A perfect and poignantintroduction to the genre, this collection of nineteen original albums also servesas a beautiful reminder of just how diverse this instrumental combination couldbe made to sound in the late 50s and early 60s. Just listen to the way a standardlike Cole Porter’s “What Is This Thing Called Love” is interpreted by Bill Evanswith his trio of Scott La Faro on bass and Paul Motian on drums or by BarryHarris, who also played with Miles Davis back in his hometown of Detroit, whenaccompanied by Joe Benjamin and Elvin Jones. Or how dierently “Caravan”sounds when played by Thelonious Monk on his tribute to Duke Ellington or bythe eminent Kenny Drew. Take away the bio- and discographic details and allmusicological mumbo jumbo and the music will speak for itself, always