Credits:

Benny Green

Description:

The long-awaited new release from pianist Benny Green, praised by Oscar Peterson as his successor, features 12 tracks backed by the familiar rhythm section of David Wong (b) and Kenny Washington (ds). Backed by the familiar rhythm section of David Wong (b) and Kenny Washington (ds), the album features the young and talented female jazz vocalist Veronica Swift on five tracks and the female flutist Ann Drummond on three tracks. Benny Green has risen to become one of the world's leading jazz pianists. For the past 38 years, he has been very active as one of the strongest pianists and bandleaders, performing live in concert and with big-name jazzmen. However, none of his past 20 albums as a leader has ever featured a vocalist or flutist. This album, Zen and Now, is a new adventure for Benny Green, featuring female vocalist Veronica Swift and female flutist Anne Drummond. Veronica Swift is a talented young female vocalist who won second place in the 2015 Thelonious Monk Competition. Her father is bop pianist Hod O'Brien (d. 2016) and her mother is singer Stephanie Nakasian. She grew up in the same musically rich environment as Greene. As Benny performed with her live and elsewhere, he must have found it inevitable to feature her heavily in this work. Veronica's vocals can be heard on five songs on this album. Her clear and orthodox singing style with scat is memorable and impressive. M7, "Split Kick," a Horace Silver piece, features a wonderful vocal rendition of the trumpet and saxophone parts, and M9, "Humphrey," a song from the 90's trio with Christian McBride (b) and Carl Allen (ds), "Testi ffrey. M9, "Humphrey," is a nostalgic song for the fans that was recorded in the 90's with Christian McBride (b) and Carl Allen (ds) in the trio album "Testi fyi n'! (a trio album with Christian Magbride (b) and Carl Allen (ds) in the 90's). The inclusion of scat adds a fresh flavor. Anne Drummond is a female flutist active in New York City. She has participated in Kenny Barron's (p) albums and tours, and has released several albums as a leader. Her participation (on three tracks) adds a unique taste to this album. Needless to say, Benny Green's playing is in top form. He also plays Fender Rhodes on three songs with female guests. The four songs performed in piano trio format are Jazzman originals by Hank Jones, Duke Pearson, and Hank Mobley, as well as his own original compositions. The Benny Green style is in full force. This is truly "Then And Now," an album of great interest, a comfortable fusion of then and now.

Tracklisting:

1.Donny Hath A Way
2.For Regulars Only
3.Latin America
4.Naturally
5.Minor Contention
6.Enchanted Forest
7.Split Kick
8.Say You're Mine
9.Humphrey
10.Hipsippy Blues
11.Something I Dreamed Last Night
12.Wiggin'