Don Friedman Trio - Waltz for Debby

Sophisticated improvisation, lyrical phrasing and flamboyant interplay - every beautiful essence of a piano trio is on this album. Don Friedman has been known for a long time as a musician's musician, praised for his lyrical style and his technical virtuosity. Here he teams with bassist George Mraz and drummer Lewis Nash to explore the beauty of music. The album is a mixture of his sassy, well-conceived originals and standards. Friedman's original tunes have the quality of standards and great episodes, too. "35 W. 4th Street" is titled after the address of New York University where he teaches piano techniques, improvisation and jazz theory. One day his students did not show up, so he sat in front of the piano and fingered some codes - which gave him an idea for this tune. While listing the tunes he wanted to record on this album, Friedman thought blues or fast tunes would make the list complete. So he forced himself to compose a new tune, just some days before the date. "Flamands" is a name of a beach of St. Barth's, French West Indies, Caribbean Islands. Friedman has visited this beautiful beach on his vacation, and was inspired. "From A to Z" is dedicated to his friend and a wonderful Hungarian guitarist, Attila Zolla. They collaborated in the 60's when they were active in the West Coast scene. Here is more great Jazz from the up-and-coming Eighty-Eight's label. Recorded by David Baker.

1. 35 W. 4th Street

2. I Concentrate on You

3. Waltz for Debby

4. Blues in a Hurry

5. Bud Powell

6. The Shadow of Your Smile

7. Old Folks

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