jazz piano by Beegie Adair
Village Square Music
www.villagesquare.com
I’m too young to feel nostalgic over these songs, though I do remember my father playing versions of "Fascination" and "Three Coins in the Fountain" when I was… well… young. (anyone remember Ray Coniff?) And they don’t differ much from what I’m hearing here. Experienced jazz pianist Beegie Adair is celebrating her 50th high school reunion with songs that meant a lot for her and her friends, and that’s good news for those taking advantage of the big band/swing renaissance.
This brings back the days of the jazz orchestra, the lush sweeping violins, brushes on the snare, and full grand piano sound. For some folks this might sound like elevator music, for others it will bring back the romantic days of yore. It's hard not to think of sitting in an elegant dance hall sharing a glass of wine, while the musicians play in the background. I used to play this kind of music when I was really sick and couldn’t handle the drums and screeches of the "now sound."
For folks newly discovering this style, these sensitive recreations make for a perfect background to a candle lit evening. Adair plays a lot of full chords, melodies in octaves, and often joins the strings in their swooping up and down the staff.
Adair has picked songs heard in movies mainly from the 1950’s; the Jeff Steinberg orchestra accompanies, Steinberg also arranged the music.
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