The recordings on this release are chosen from three terrific evenings at Montmartre in October 2015, during Kenny’s second visit to Copenhagen. “Those of us who attended the concerts witnessed the great affection that developed between Kenny and the audience; the public simply wouldn’t let him leave the stage,” writes Christian Brorsen, music director at Jazzhus Montmartre. A smiling Jacob Christoffersen distributed warmth from behind the piano, and bassist Jesper Bodilsen and Zoltan Csorsz easily join the magnificent musical union. Brorsen also writes ”Kenny has a lot of heart and exudes a kind of warmth rarely encountered. Along with possessing perfect pitch and presiding over a repertoire that seems practically endless, he is a sensational singer—and a greater entertainer than he realizes!” Kenny Washington is an authentic virtuoso who exposes new facets of himself every time he performs. The quintet extracts new warmth from classics such as “Do You Know What It Means to Miss Orleans” an excel on the title track “Moanin’”. Kenny’s talent puts him among the world’s best jazz vocalists—at the very top of the list!
In response to wide spread critical acclaim for their first duet recording on SteepleChase (SCCD 31485 "Twins"), pianist Colligan and bassist Bodilsen did a second session for SteepleChase following a Scandanavian tour just 13 months later.
"George Colligan is one of the brightest and most articulate new pianists on today's scene. On "Twins" the pianist's synaptic spontaneity dances freely. Colligan's foil is the estimable young Danish bassist, Jesper Bodilsen. Like NHOP, Bodilsen possesses a warm sound, great dexterity, virtually faultless intonation and an aura of calm even in the midst of volcanic eruptions." (Harvey Pekar, Jazz Times, July/August 2001)
" A real keeper all the way around, "Twins" is yet another fine collection to add to Colligan's already imposing body of work." (Chris Hovan, allaboutjazz.com)
“Somebody find this guy a high profile gig!” was how Willard Jenkins set out to review Colligan’s earlier release “Stomping Ground “ (SCCD 31441) in the December 99 issue of JazzTimes. George Colligan is undoubtedly one of the most exciting pianists on the scene today. And the high profile gigs are pouring in. One of those gigs took him to Copenhagen early this year giving SteepleChase a chance to team him up with one of the best Danish bassists of the younger generation Jesper Bodilsen. The meeting of the two hugely talented musicians produced an electrifying album. A new DUO was born!
