The Mask-erade Is Over
Summit, 2021
8/10
Listen to The Mask-erade Is Over
The pianist Dave Miller sure is prolific, and thankfully the quality of his work matches the quantity, as he offers us his version of some of his favorite standards with the help of drummer Bill Belasco and bassist Andrew Higgins.
“Anthropology” starts the listen with a quick pace of frisky drumming and lively keys that will leave you unable to sit still to its energetic pulse, and “Be Careful It’s My Heart” follows with much emotion and sophistication in the Irving Berlin tune.
Landing near the middle, “Someday I’ll Find You” offers a playful and dynamic interpretation of the Noel Coward classic, while “Yardbird Suite” shuffles with incredible interplay between the trio as they do justice to the Charlie Parker original. “In Your Own Sweet Way”, one of the listen’s best, then displays dancing keys alongside strategic bass and agile drumming.
Close to the end, the glowing “Hallucinations” glides with an infectious charm as Miller’s acrobatic keys don’t disappoint, and “Just Imagine” exits the listen in sublime balladry, where graceful piano is met with a timeless spirit- much like everything present on the record.
Miller sure knows his way around a jazz tune, and most of these are standards he hasn’t recorded before, which makes for another top notch effort in his already exceptional body of work.
Travels well with: Rebecca Dumaine And The Dave Miller Trio- Someday, Someday; Schapiro 17- Human Qualities