A debut solo piano album recorded live at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem by an interesting pianist who appears to have developed his own take on jazz piano.
The opening track, John Lewis' The Creation of the World, is polished off in 3:45 which compares favourably with what 'him upstairs' took six days to accomplish before having to have a lie down on the seventh.
Picard, a French-Malagasy multi talented pianist, composer and interpreter stamps his individuality on pieces by Willie "the Lion" Smith, Ravel and Bix as well as a few of his own.
The feel of the original versions are there, albeit somewhat distant, and he manages to avoid any of the composers turning in their graves although anyone patrolling their respective cemeteries may have detected the odd tremor.
Bix's In a Mist has provided many pianists with the opportunity to develop the Debussy inspired theme. Picard possibly does it better than most. More than just paying mere lip service he, almost, makes it his own.
For one track only, Savannah Harris joins him on drums and they give Willie the Lion's Woodland Fantasy an inspired workout.
An album that strides - pun intentional - comfortably 'twixt rent party and the unknown.
Check it out. Lance
Available Jan. 28 on the Outside in Music label.
The Creation of the World; Cuttin' Out; Earthalude; Snake Song; Leia's Theme; Firelude; Le Gibet; In a Mist; Clouds; Woodland Fantasy.
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