The first entry in the extensive series of piano solo recitals held at Maybeck Recital Hall features the great JoAnne Brackeen. Although classified by some originally as an avant-gardist inspired by McCoy Tyner, Brackeen continued to grow in stature and by the late '80s had her own style. She is respectful but passionate on seven standards (keeping the melody in mind during her explorations) while her four originals are given more adventurous improvisations. "Dr. Chu Chow" is a good example of her power as is the quirky "Curved Space" with its catchy and delayed 6/4 rhythmic pattern. Although not a stride player, Brackeen is clearyly a two-handed pianist and, as shown on her "African Aztec," able to play music that hints in an abstract way at earlier styles (in this case blues and boogie-woogie) while remaining quite advanced and original. Well worth checking out. - Scott Yanow
Track
01. Thou Swell (Lorenz Hart/Richard Rodgers)
02. The Most Beautiful Girl in the World (Lorenz Hart/Richard Rodgers)
03. Dr. Chu Chow (JoAnne Brackeen)
04. Yesterdays (Otto Harbach/Jerome Kern)
05. Curved Space (JoAnne Brackeen)
06. It Could Happen to You (Johnny Burke/James Van Heusen)
07. African Aztec (JoAnne Brackeen)
08. My Foolish Heart (Ned Washington/Victor Young)
09. Calling Carl (JoAnne Brackeen)
10. I'm Old Fashioned (Jerome Kern/Johnny Mercer)
11. Strike up the Band (George Gershwin/Ira Gershwin)
JOANNE BRACKEEN piano
Recorded live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Berkeley, CA June 1989
Concord Jazz CCD-4409