Stan Hope has been in the jazz business for more than 40 years, but
Pastels is only his third album as a leader. The influence of
Erroll Garner on
Hope's approach to the music is evident, not only in the playing, but in
Hope's selection of four
Garner-composed tunes for this session. To
Hope's credit,
"Misty" is not one of them.
Hope's playing sparkles like
Garner's, but is not as fanciful or as ornate.
Hope doesn't engage in those long, twisting runs
Garner is noted for, but
Hope swings and plays in an unabashedly romantic manner, sometimes within the same song. Listen to the title tune -- another
Garner composition -- for a summation of the
Hope pianistic approach. He possesses a deft touch putting out swinging, glistening chords, with the emphasis on the right hand, all with a sentimental flavor. The album also features
Hope's affection for things Latin.
Benny Carter's engaging
"Summer Serenade" is given a scintillating Latin-tinged workout by the trio with
Ray Drummond's plucked bass working effortlessly underneath
Hope's piano.
While this album is primarily a piano trio set,
Houston Person shows up with his swinging soulful tenor saxophone on three cuts. After an extended swinging introduction by
Hope on
"Indiana," Person's tenor makes an explosive entrance and takes over the tune, with
Hope's piano comping in support.
Ray Drummond's bass and
Kenny Washington's drums are also heard to good effect on this cut.
Person makes a major contribution to an engaging
"Be Anything" (a pop hit for
Doris Day in the 1950s) and chips in on
Hope's
"Hopeful Blues." The set ends with a pleasant, melodic medley of standards.
Savant Records focuses on recording jazz musicians who have been in the business for a long time, but haven't received the exposure and recognition they've earned.
Hope certainly fits that category. ~ Dave Nathan
![The Very Best of John Coltrane [Rhino]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0081227977825_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg "The Very Best of John Coltrane [Rhino]")
