Search - Mike Longo :: Live at the Detroit International Jazz Festival

From Solo Piano Publications

Kathy Parsons | Florence, OR United States | 04/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After 42 years as a New York-based jazz pianist with 17 albums under his own name and 22 years of performing with Dizzy Gillespie, this is Mike Longo?s first concert album. Recorded in September 2002, the album exudes the joy of making music and of life itself. The other members of the Trio are Santi Debriano on bass and Ray Mosca on drums - both very seasoned and experienced jazz musicians in their own right. This album was the first time the Trio had performed together, but you sure can?t tell it from the seamless collaboration. Most of the nine tunes are familiar classic jazz pieces, but Longo and his players update them a bit while staying faithful to the spirit of the originals. The CD is made up of the full set the Longo Trio played at the Detroit International Jazz Festival, and clocks in at 75 1/2 minutes. Pieces include ?My Funny Valentine,? ?Trane?s Blues,? a medley from ?Porgy and Bess,? ?Footprints,? and ?Round Midnight,? all played in a brilliant groove that is spontaneous and yet makes perfect sense musically - as only great jazz musicians can do! The rich melodies should appeal to casual as well as die-hard jazz fans world-wide, and this album is an excellent addition to any record collection. Great stuff!"

Live jazz at its best!

James Smedley | Detroit | 03/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I happened to be at this performance at the Detroit Festival as I live here and attend every year. We in Detroit pride ourselves on being a jazz town with sophisticate listeners who are very particular about jazz performances. This is evident by the many jazz stars who have come from this area and gone on to greatness in their field. I grew up listening to these guys and gals all the way from their formative years through their mature and greatest years on the international level. This group at the 2002 festival, in my estimation, was one of the best groups of the whole three day event. Take it from me, the Detroit audience is a tough one to win over. If you don't have the goods, they will let you know for sure. Fortunately the producer of this recording has included the audience response and you will hear for yourself that this audience was knocked out by this groups performance that night. They provided us with one of the most foot tappin' enjoyable evenings I can remember in a long time. You will even hear the entire audince clapping in time to their deep groove on Round Midnight as well as shouts of joy being exerted throughout the whole concert. This is more than just a recording. It is an EXPERIENCE! If you don't have it yet, GET IT! You will thank yourself many times over. Trust me!"