George Friedman

Friedman is the founder of Stratfor, an independent geopolitical forecasting company, and his authoritative-sounding predictions are based on such factors as natural resources and population cycles. While these concrete measures lend his short-term forecasts credence, the later years of Friedmans 100-year cycle will provoke some serious eyebrow raising. The armed border clashes between Mexico and the United States in the 2080s seem relatively plausible, but the space war pitting Japan and Turkey against the United States and allies, prognosticated to begin precisely on Thanksgiving Day 2050, reads as fantastic (and terrifying) science fiction. Whether all of the visions in Friedmans crystal ball actually materialize, they certainly make for engrossing entertainment.

This trio date led by Don Friedman is comparable to a typical Bill Evans session in several ways. Joined by bassist George Mraz and drummer Lewis Nash, one hears three strong musicians interacting rather than a rhythm section playing follow-the-leader with the pianist. Secondly, Friedman, like Evans, loves playing great melodies. Finally, Friedman is a gifted composer, though his pieces are obviously not as well known as Evans' works. But the comparison ends there, as Friedman has a distinctive style of his own.