A Child's Smile

Argentine pianist and composer Adrian Iaies draws on the lyricism of Bill Evans and the music of his homeland to create his own subtle brand of jazz. On A Child’s Smile, Iaies and his band — bassist Ezequiel Dutil and drummer Pepi Taveira — perform seven originals and four covers. The band tastefully transforms the Billy Joel warhorse, “Just the Way You Are,” into something new and intriguing. Guest accordionist Raul Barboza brings his expressive touch to a cover of “Alfonsina y el Mar,” a well-known song by the late Argentinean composer Ariel Ramirez, who often looked to his nation’s folk music for inspiration. A touching take on Francisco de Caro’s “Loca Bohemia” and a solo version of rocker Charly Garcia’s ballad, “Cuando Yo Me Empiece a Quedar Solo,” round out the non-original material. Iaies’ compositions more than hold their own. “TMI Tiemai” nicely alternates between off-kilter jauntiness and mellow bluesiness, and “Lezama” finds the trio navigating this Keith Jarrett-tinged piece with great aplomb. And this group can swing mightily; for evidence, check out the fired-up “Red Kelly & Winton Garland at Loprete’s House.”