Successful instrumental pop session from the electric violinist who was a dominant figure at Blue Note in the late ’70s. Pointer could at times churn out a surprisingly riveting solo, but he spent more time plugging into rigidly arranged, heavily produced and orchestrated structures and supporting background vocalists. ~…

This concert was originally intended to be a video release showcasing Stanley Jordan in acoustic, electric and solo settings. His tight rhythm section — including Jeff “Tain” Watts on drums, Kenny Kirkland on piano and Charnett Moffett on bass — drives his complex and moving guitar playing through the…

This trio set with bassist Charnett Moffett and drummer Kenwood Dennard features the tapping guitarist Stanley Jordan during a typical live show from 1990 playing many songs that he had previously recorded. While “Stairway to Heaven” is treated as very credible rock and “Lady in My Life” gets funky,…

This debut record from Stanley Jordan features the guitarist’s extraordinarily idiosyncratic tapping technique on a variety of material. Jordan’s revolutionary approach to the instrument, consisting of striking the fretboard with both hands to sound notes, allows him access to musical possibilities that are simply out of the reach of…

The fact that Bill Evans’ years as a Miles Davis sideman had so positive an effect on him is evident on The Alternative Man — an unpredictable fusion date that, although overproduced at times, is full of spirited blowing and adventurous composing. Ranging from the reggae-influenced “The Path of…

This double LP finds pianist Michel Petrucciani often showing the influence of Bill Evans. His interplay with bassist Palle Danielsson and drummer Eliot Zigmund (an Evans alumnus) is consistently impressive and these eight performances (all but two are between eight and 12 minutes long) never lose their momentum. It’s recommended for lovers of piano trios.

Michel Petrucciani’s decision to utilize Adam Holzman on atmospheric electric keyboards behind his piano playing was an excellent idea. Not only did it give him an “orchestral” setting in which to improvise, but it enabled Petrucciani to completely escape the Bill Evans influence that has made so many other pianists sound a bit derivative. For this…

In an interview, Michel Petrucciani said “…my biggest inspiration is Duke Ellington, because in my very early age he gave the inspiration to play the piano.” For Promenade with Duke Petrucciani not only honors music Ellington composed, but music with which he was associated. There are some Billy Strayhorn…

Pianist Michel Petrucciani, who during the early part of his career was heavily influenced by Bill Evans, gradually developed his own sound. By 1991 he was using Adam Holzman on synthesizer with his quintet (which on this date also includes bassist Anthony Jackson, drummer Omar Hakim and percussionist Steve…

Music was a slight departure from pianist Michel Petrucciani’s usual Bill Evans-influenced recordings of the period. Petrucciani uses synthesizers (his and Adam Holzman’s) on all but two selections, but these are very much in the background, making the ensembles sound a little larger than they actually are.Petrucciani’s ten originals range from romantic (“Memories of Paris”) and manic…