Michel Petrucciani - Promenade With Duke (1993)

In an interview, Michel Petrucciani said "...my biggest inspiration is Duke Ellington, because in my very early age he gave [me] the inspiration to play the piano." For Promenade with Duke Petrucciani not only honors music Ellington composed, but music with which he was associated. There are some Billy Strayhorn pieces and other songs where Ellington's compositional contributions are arguably marginal. That the album offers an adventure in harmony is predicted by the first cut, "Caravan." Stretching over seven minutes in length, it explores, in-depth, virtually every nuance of this 1936 hit which Ellington wrote with trombonist Juan Tizol. Bold approaches to harmonies notwithstanding, Petrucciani does not desert his basic let-it-all-hang-out romanticism which he celebrates on "Lush Life." He emphasizes feelings of sentimentality in his rendition of "In a Sentimental Mood." His interpretation is brooding and introspective, but every now and then some bright chords hold out the hope that the somber climate may be passing. Petrucciani is a master at clarifying the mood he is trying to create with his piano. Not all the music on the album is familiar Ellington, as shown in the presence of two rarely performed pieces, "Hidden Joy" and "One Night in the Hotel." It is on the well-known "Take the 'A' Train," however, that Petrucciani expresses best the joy he experiences with Ellington's music and the influence it has had on him. His is a rousing, twisting rendition of the Duke's signature tune. Promenade with Duke is one of the more innovative and stimulating sets of solo piano performances of Ellington's music on disc. ~ by Dave Nathan, AMG.

Blue Note, CDP 0777 7 80590 28, 1993

Recorded at Power Station, New York

Michel Petrucciani - Piano [Steinway]

Tracks:

1. Caravan {Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Juan Tizol} (7:51)

2. Lush Life {Billy Strayhorn} (3:48)

3. Take The "A" Train {Billy Strayhorn} (3:01)

4. African Flower {Duke Ellington} (4:40)

5. In A Sentimental Mood {Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Manny Kurtz} (6:01)

6. Hidden Joy {Michel Petrucciani} (8:03)

7. One Night In The Hotel {Michel Petrucciani} (5:39)

8. Satin Doll {Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer} (7:11)

9. C-Jam Blues {Duke Ellington} (1:52)

Credits:

Producer - Gilles Avinzac

Producer, Mixing - Michel Petrucciani

Executive Producer - Eric Kressmann

Sound & Mixing Engineer - Roger Roche

Assistant Sound Engineer - Chris Albert

Mastering Engineer - Jose Rodriguez [Sterling Sound, NYC]

Art Direction - Cynthia Cochrane, Felix Cromey

Design - Patrick Roques

Total Time: 48:06

Must Have CD for Any Jazz Piano Enthusiast

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I am a jazz pianist myself and think that this is some of the most superb piano playing I have ever heard. It is highly recommended - showing incredible imagination, musical sophistication, technique and most importantly beautiful emotion. A must have addition to any collection. ~ Edward N. Page, Amazon.com.