Waiting In the Wings

Pianist Geoff Keezer, only 17 at the time of this CD (his recording debut as a leader) was most strongly influenced in the early days by McCoy Tyner (purposely on his "Babes of McCoyland") but at this point he was already a confident and technically brilliant player with strong signs of developing his own style. His seven compositions are excellent vehicles for improvised solos (each song has its own personality) and his often-stormy piano (heard on five sextet feature, a quintet performance, four trio showcases and an unaccompanied "I Didn't Know About You") pays tribute in its own way to Phineas Newborn, Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington. Although often confined to short concise solos, Keezer's sidemen are not overshadowed. Bill Pierce, the best-known of the players, is cooly passionate on his ballad feature "Pierce on Earth" and he makes a good team with the Freddie Hubbard-inspired trumpet of Bill Mobley. Vibraphonist Steve Nelson recalls Bobby Hutcherson in his early days while bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Anthony Reedus are excellent in support. Recommended.