Search - Alan Broadbent :: Pacific Standard Time

Superlative Jazz Trio

Robert J. Ament | Ballwin, MO United States | 08/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a trio which shares a musical empathy that becomes obvious from the first selection on this cd. The result is a highly pleasurable listening experience. Alan Broadbent is a highly lyrical and melodic be-bopper/ post- bopper who has a lot of similarity to the style of Tommy Flanagan. The music played on this cd are mainly standards but his improvisation somehow gives a fresh approach to each of these without sacrificing anything from recognition of the melody.I'm surprised that he hasn't recorded more under his own name but apparently he has devoted a lot of his time as a composer and arranger. One of his compositions, "This One's For Bud" is included on this cd as a tribute to bop pianist Bud Powell. He served a stint with Woody Herman as a writer, arranger and soloist and has been the pianist in Charlie Haden's Quartet West. You have heard him if you're familiar with this last group or on selected recordings of Woody's (1969-1972).Whether you're familiar with his playing or you just enjoy good jazz piano trio, this will become one of your favorite cds."

Heavenly

Lars Ugleberg | Copenhagen, Denmark | 08/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My favorite Jazz record. It often brings tears to my eyes while listening to it on my PC during the early hours between 6 and 8 before my collegues begin to turn up at work. I sigh and put aside my headphones - already looking forward to tomorrow's early hours!"

Swinging Elegantly

Tom Schusterbauer | West Bloomfield, Michigan United States | 12/15/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Arranger, composer, sideman for the likes of Scott Hamilton, Broadbent deserves wider recognition. Not as cerebral as Evans or Mehldau, not stride like McKenna or Sutton, Broadbent reminds one more of Tommy Flanagan or Red Garland.This cd, his own trio, does that risky thing of approaching those hoary old chestnuts with respect but not reverence, with wit but not self-indulgence. Some new twists, new spins, some surprising ideas, but never abandoning the essential melody lines. Still, there is nothing boring here; at no time does Broadbent lapse into the predictable--this might serve as background music, but to listen to it as such is to miss some of the quicksilver turns, the elegant musings. Broadbent's look at John Lewis' wonderful "Django" is a case in point. Lewis is well served, but Broadbent has a few things to say too. The result is some sweet shadings of Lewis' marvelous melody.Not as cerebral as Evans; nevertheless, Alan Broadbent is one intelligent, witty, sensitive artist. And this is an extremely fine rendering of some classic pieces from that Great American Songbook."