John A. Lewis (pno); Lincoln Apeland (bs); Merik Gillett (dms).
A native of Dallas, Texas, Lewis has been around for 30 years and this is his ninth album. Presumably his main theatre of operations has been in and around the Dallas, Fort Worth area which would explain why he's not a jazz household name in the UK - maybe not even in New York or LA. This is unfortunate as he deserves wider recognition.
Perhaps these days it DOES mean a thing if you ain't got that swing! Well Lewis certainly has it and even though he's playing original material so beloved of today's pundits it is meaningful originality. He quotes his musical influences as including Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Eric Satie and Claude Debussy - they may well be but I think there's also some Bud Powell and Bill Evans in there too.
Not only are the compositions easily hookable but some of the titles are too. A Faustian Occurrence, The Grifter, Sixty Miles Short, Sly Steps, Three Shades and Def Blue (as opposed to a kinda...)
Bassist Apeland provided the short but enigmatic A Sisyphean Endeavour and drummer Gillett, Spang.
A very listenable trio and one I'd certainly seek out should I find myself in South Dallas. In the meantime I'll just enjoy this delightful album.
Lance.
John A. Lewis - One Trip Out is currently available on Valarteri Records.
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