Underrated pianist Kirk Lightsey steps into the spotlight to lead an extraordinary quartet featuring Mark Whitfield - guitar, Santi DeBriano - bass and Victor Lewis - drums, through a spirited program of tunes from Dave Brubeck to Tony Williams and McCoy Tyner. Recorded live at New York's venerable Smalls Jazz Club this record is part of the Smalls LIVING MASTERS SERIES.
Pianist/composer Kirk Lightsey (b. 1937 in Detroit, Michigan) is a contemporary of John Coltrane, growing up with Detroit’s jazz heavy weights such as Barry Harris, Paul Chambers, Tommy Flanagan, to mention a few. After a lengthy successful career in USA performing with Chet Baker, Woody Shaw, Dexter Gordon a. o. Lightsey moved to Paris, France in the 90s.
This live recording from Basel, Switzerland with his European band makes a graceful continuation of his famous tribute albums: “From Kirk To Nat” and “Goodbye Mr Evans”.
“A swinging and heartfelt recording ... You can feel definitely the spirit of John Coltrane throughout and the playing is stellar and on the highest level ... this is a great band and the music is both inspired and inspiring!” - Gary Smulyan
Digitally remastered edition. Shorter by Two: The Music of Wayne Shorter Played on Two Pianos, originally released in 1984, features Kirk Lightsey and Harold Danko interpreting eleven selections from Shorter's stupendous songbook, from 1959 to 1974, featured on his magnificent albums as a leader on the Blue Note and Columbia labels, as a sideman for Miles Davis and Freddie Hubbard, and as a member Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.
In 1990 when he recorded this scintillating date, now released for the first time, pianist Kirk Lightsey was one of New York's first call pianists, a regular in the rotation at Bradley's, the legendary New York piano saloon. On this release he convenes a cohort of New York A-listers to play a program that includes strong repertoire by Lightsey, Wayne Shorter, Detroit drummer Lawrence Williams and some choice standards. Featuring trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, saxophonist/flutist Craig Handy, bassist David Williams and drummer Eddie Gladden.
A fixture on the New York scene since 2003, when he accepted a scholarship at the Julliard School of Music, Norwegian guitarist Lage Lund, who won the prestigious Thelenoious Monk International Jazz Competition in 2005, displays what the the fuss is about on his Criss Cross debut. Featuring tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland, pianist Danny Grissett, bassist Orlando LeFleming and drummer Kendrick Scott.
