Sea Journey (Live)

Jesse Green's second record for Chiaroscuro features him playing during the 11th annual Floating Jazz Festival on the S/S Norway as it travelled on the Caribbean Sea. Green, whose piano style is inspired by (but not imitative of) Oscar Peterson and Chick Corea, has impressive technique, can swing without effort and has creative ideas within the bebop tradition. His trio with bassist Michael Moore and drummer Jackie Williams has two songs to themselves ("Softly" and "I Love You") and then welcomes three different guests. Highpoints include the interplay between Green and guitarist Gene Bertoncini on "All The Things You Are" and the pianist's duet with vibraphonist Gary Burton (one of his former Berklee instructors) on "Sea Journey"; guitarist Joe Cohn sounds in top form too. This enjoyable set is rounded out by a 3 1/2 minute "Jazzspeak" on which Jesse Green talks about his hopes and aspirations along with some interesting liner notes that are essentially a conversation between Burton and Jesse's father trombonist Urbie Green. A fine introduction to the promising young pianist.