In a career that spans nearly four decades and includes gigs with Return to Forever, Rite of Strings and a variety of other solo and collaborative projects along the way, bassist Stanley Clarke one of the most prominent voices in electric jazz and fusion had seemingly covered every possible corner of the jazz landscape. But there was one avenue he had yet to explore. This long-overdue dream project becomes a reality with JAZZ IN THE GARDEN. For his first straight-ahead acoustic jazz trio recording, Clarke assembles two brilliant collaborators at the top of their respective games: pianist Hiromi Uehara and drummer Lenny White. Each represents a distinctly different generational and cultural perspective, but given the range and versatility of both, the net effect is superb. Indeed, the synergy resulting from all three of these luminaries makes for one of the most refreshing Stanley Clarke recordings in recent years.