Barron Cruz Social Incinvibility

Producing a darker tone from the Maybeck Yamaha piano than do some other participants in the series, Kenny Barron gets a chance to flaunt a wider range of his influences than he usually does in a group format. Barron opens with a stride-ish "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You," which sports a few minor fluffs (this is live, folks), and then explores a number of diverse styles under the bop umbrella. Barron's "Bud-Like" has reminiscences of "Un Poco Loco," built on an ostinato bass pattern most of the way, with a witty "Bemsha Swing." As usual with Maybeck, the sound of the hall's bright, brittle Yamaha piano is brilliantly captured.

The works of true artistic masters are things to cherish. When two such masters come together to create, it is truly a moment to behold. Pianists Kenny Barron and Mulgrew Miller have cemented themselves as two of the foremost pianists and song interpreters of the 21st century. In an inspired conception, Barron and Miller were paired in duo performances, one in 2005 and two in 2011, that are presented here as The Art of Piano Duo – Live.

Bassist Red Mitchell and pianist Kenny Barron teamed up for these "Red Barron" duos in 1986. Mitchell and Barron swing through five standards (including "The Girl Next Door," "Oleo" and "Namely You") plus the pianist's "Sunshower" and a couple of Mitchell originals. Their interpretations swing, are sometimes intuitive and are full of subtle surprises. Barron has since been recognized as a giant of modern mainstream piano while the late Mitchell's virtuosity was never in question. This combination works!

Having both cut his teeth and come into his own with Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, and Yusef Lateef, among others, pianist Kenny Barron began to carve out what has proven to be a lengthy and fruitful solo career by 1973. This fine duo outing, which has Ron Carter and Michael Moore trading off on bass, certainly shows Barron was in full control of his vigorous and tuneful style by the mid-'80s. Cut for the independent BlackHawk label before Barron would eventually find more exposure via such high-profile companies as Enja and Verve, 1 + 1 + 1 features a tasty program of numbers by Monk, Ellington, Coltrane, Dave Brubeck, and others. Of particular note are Barron and Carter's treatments of the Gershwin opener, "The Man I Love," and Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way"…