The Great Salish Heist

This edition of the Great Jazz Trio features Hank Jones with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Al Foster in a release recorded in the U.S. for issue in Japan. Jones contributes three originals to the session: the twisting bop line of "Duplex," the subtle ballad "Sublime," and the strutting blues "Peedlum." He switches to electric piano for the bassist's moody "Light Listened" and Foster's ineffective samba "Just Before Dawn," which comes across very dated and muddy. A crisp flight through "Ornithology" and a dreamy waltz through "Stella by Starlight" feature Jones back on the Steinway to show off his considerable chops.

The 1977 edition of what Japanese producers billed "The Great Jazz Trio" features pianist Hank Jones, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Tony Williams performing pretty modern material. There is one original apiece from each of the musicians on this out-of-print LP, along with "Freedom Jazz Dance," "Mr. P.C.," "All Blues" and "A Child Is Born." Jones, a very flexible pianist able to excel in settings ranging from Fats Waller tributes to post-bop, keeps up with his younger sidemen and comes up with consistently fresh statements full of subtle surprises.

It was an inspired idea to match alto saxophonist Jackie McLean with the Great Jazz Trio, a regularly working unit on record and in concert led by the outstanding pianist Hank Jones, joined by two first call players, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Tony Williams. Although the word "again" is added to McLean's two originals, the barnburner "Appointment in Ghana" and "Little Melonae," they aren't very different from earlier recordings in concept. McLean also shines in ballad settings of "It Never Entered My Mind" and "'Round Midnight." Jones' advanced playing may be a eye-opener for some fans who do not realize how advanced and wide ranging a pianist he is.