Search - Marian Petrescu :: Body & Soul

Amazing

J. Carlon | Port Saint Lucie, FL United States | 05/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Absolutely amazing. Recently saw his trio in Florida on two occasions. Once in Port Saint Lucie, FL and again at the famous Heidi's Jazz Club in Cocoa Beach, FL. Heidi who has been around forever, and has had the likes of Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck and others play at her club and was amazed at Marian's technique and style. She said this trio was the best she has ever seen. Born in Hungary; Marian has become a master at the great American style of music. No wonder all of our great jazz musicians enjoy playing in Europe. American's have lost sight of their truely orignal style. Marian's classicly trained style and blistering technique will surely amaze you. When I saw him in Florida his trio had changed. His brother Mickail still played bass, but he added Englishman Keith Hall on drums. Their chemistry was amazingly tight. With a quick glance each musician new where the other was going."

I've never heard a better jazz pianist -- ever

J Redfield | Orlando, FL | 03/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a jazz pianist for almost 40 years. For nearly all that time, my two standard-bearers were Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson. Then I became familiar with Adam Makovich, and his awesome classical-jazz powers. But I still found myself placing Art and Oscar above all others. Then I became familiar with Marian. I was overcome with amazement as to how little he is known, especially here in the USA. I searched far and wide to procure every recording of him I could find. With the possible exception of the "whiz-kid", Eldar Djangirov, I believe that Marian Petrescu is the most accomplished and amazing jazz pianist on the face of the earth today. Art is long gone, and Oscar has suffered a stroke and other setbacks. Marian has the indelible swing of Oscar, the left hand and facility of Tatum, and the ability to play in a variety of styles, mainstream and modern, as well as blend in with other musicians so effortlessly.



Although I've heard him cut loose at levels even beyond this album, nevertheless "Body and Soul" showcases him very well. The album starts with a driving original, "Funk 2000", featuring a Corea-esque solo by Marian that quickly establishes his mastery of touch, ideas and rhythm. Brother Mihai Petrescu maintains a sturdy pulse on bass, enhanced by the sterling drumming of Håkon Mjåset Johansen. Following Marian's sizzling choruses, Swedish guitar sensation, Andreas Öberg follows suit--his album "Young Jazz Guitarist" featuring who else--Marian Petrescu--is very highly recommended.



The album continues with a series of standards, given lovely treatments by this awesome quartet. I especially enjoyed "Mr. PC" and "Lover Man". Toward the end is one of my favorite tracks: "Indiana". Here, Marian shows his awesome solo chops, sprinkling dazzling lines of eighth notes and triplets in his right hand on top of "broken" tenths in his left hand, with the virtuosity of Tatum or Peterson at their best. The last track, "Marylebone Road" is a rousing fun number featuring awesome solos by both Petrescu and Öberg. Petrescu demonstrates his command of unison playing--his left hand echoes his right hand note for note, two octaves lower. This "trick" was employed by Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Phineas Newborn, Bennie Green, and a few others oftentimes, but I think Petrescu has mastered it better than anyone I've ever heard.



The other day on one of the video websites, I saw a video of Marian Petrescu playing at an unspecified Jazz Festival in 1990. He did a solo version of Caravan on the video. After hearing (and seeing) that performance, I am totally dumfounded that I had never heard of him until last year. He really deserves far greater international recognition than he has currently experienced, and I hope that this album "Body and Soul" will be the catalyst that finally propels this genius to the stardom he deserves.



John Redfield



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