Lynne Arriale

For listeners not familiar with Lynne Arriale, this live recording from the Montreux Jazz Festival could be the perfect way to sample the pianist's estimable work. Recorded in 1999 with a trio consisting of bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Steve Davis, the eight tracks cover a fetching mix of Monk standards ("Evidence"), choice covers ("Alone Together"), and Arriale originals ("With Words Unspoken"). The tone is often hushed, born out of spacious block chords and delicate single-note lines -- her cover of the bossa nova ballad "Estaté" is particularly mesmerizing -- but Arriale also swings in a very classy and modern way on her own "Calypso" and the Miles Davis classic "Seven Steps to Heaven." And while you may hear the influence of Jarrett, Bley, and Evans here, Lynne Arriale ultimately finds her own way over the course of this very fine live set. ~ Stephen Cook, All Music Guide