The three Dutch musicians on this CD show that they have a thorough command of the jazz idiom, and mastery of the skills required. Nowadays, a lot of music gets labeled as jazz, but the music made by this drumless trio is clearly based on the jazz mainstream, whether they’re playing Debussy, Gershwin or familiar standards.
The trio has a natural sense of swing, and this program gives GK&I plenty of room to show off their virtuosity and improvisational skills. George Gershwin wrote countless songs that have been performed by jazz musicians and are still part of the standard repertoire, including “Summertime,” “The Man I Love” and “Embraceable You.” His works also include serious classical pieces such as Piano Concerto in F and the Piano Preludes. Gershwin wanted to write 24 preludes, like Chopin and Bach (in The Well-Tempered Klavier), twelve in minor and twelve in major keys. However, he only managed to compose about nine. Rob van Bavel took the three best known Preludes as a basis for his arrangements and combined these with fragments from the Standards mentioned above. Claude Debussy was an important exponent of impressionism (though it appears that he detested being categorized so). He was a huge inspiration to jazz pianist Bill Evans. Several pieces from Children’s Corner, an Arabesque, and fragments from the Estampes/Preludes, serve as the basis For Two arrangements. Another track is based on Arabesque no.1. “Trilogy” (the self-portrait The Ghost, The King And I) is a triptych with a recurring main theme—a leitmotif if you will. It was written by Rob van Bavel, who also composed “G String.” The only standard on this album is Victor Young’s famous “My Foolish Heart,” with an intro based on Debussy’s Pagodes.
PRESS REVIEWS
"Rob van Bavel bewijst zich weer als een van de grote, Europese jazzpianisten. Met zijn eminente medemusici roept hij inderdaad herinneringen op aan het vermaarde, immer swingende Oscar Peterson Trio." Klaas Koopman - Pianowereld - 2-2011
"Rob van Bavel has proven itself as one of the major European jazz pianists. With his distinguished fellow musicians he calls true memories of the famous, ever swinging Oscar Peterson Trio." Klaas Koopman - Pianowereld - 2-2011
"Klassemuzikanten die zeker het hartje zullen stelen van wie van aangename mainstream jazz of licht klassiek houdt." Bernard Levèvre - Jazzmozaïek - No2-2011
"Class musicians that will steal the hearts of lovers of enjoyable mainstream jazz or light classical music." Bernard Levèvre - Jazzmozaïek - No2-2011
