Hope Is In the Air - The Music of Elmo Hope

Elmo Hope was a contemporary of Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk. He only lived to be 43 and never achieved much fame or fortune, but he was a talented bop pianist and composer with a style of his own. New Stories, a trio consisting of pianist Marc Seales, bassist Doug Miller, and drummer John Bishop, revives 11 of Hope's better songs on this CD, including "Dee-Dah," the moody "Stars Over Marrakech," and "Carving the Rock." Although their playing is a bit more modern than Hope's trios, New Stories does a fine job of bringing back his musical spirit and putting life into the forgotten songs. There are a few changes in personnel that add variety to the outing. Altoist Bobby Porcelli guests with the trio on four numbers. "This Sweet Sorrow," which was originally known as the instrumental "Barfly," has been given words by the talented singer Roberta Gambarini, who is accompanied by pianist Ronnie Mathews, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Kenny Washington. Bertha Hope, Elmo's widow, plays piano with Miller and Bishop on "Low Tide." And to close the date, she performs a pair of duets ("Monique" and "Three Silver Quarters") with trumpeter Don Sickler. Musicians will find several numbers on this set that are well worth exploring. Recommended.