At Night

Marc Copland is a distinctive player whose signature harmonies and intervals are immediately identifiable; he's impressionistic without being vague, ethereal yet structured. His bandmates here are equally subtle and poised, and this session is pure jazz: recorded in a continuous stream with no written music, rehearsal takes, or later additions. This could be disastrous with a less accomplished and compatible trio, but these players are superb and completely focused — having just returned from a tour together — and the material is varied and intriguing. It ranges from Copland's bright, quirky opener "All That's Left" to a graceful, gossamer "Estate" and unique renderings of three classics: Cole Porter's "All of You"; Miles Davis' "Milestones"; and Wayne Shorter's "Masqualero, a solo piano track that sounds like it's played through a mist. The trio creates one original together, a relaxed, free conversation aptly entitled "Trading Places," and Copland supplies two more: the dreamy title ballad and "Rain," where a repeating figure conjures the tentative feel of beginning raindrops with just a hint of a gathering storm. Gary Peacock is always melodic, and Billy Hart shimmers and gleams. It's a tasteful and seamless CD, adventurous in a cool and meditative way.