Piano music is cherished here at The Naim Label and we couldn’t believe our luck when Ken Christianson persuaded Laurence Hobgood to make a solo recording for us, which also features the Grammy Award winning vocalist Kurt Elling.
An eclectic mix of tunes is featured on this disc, including ‘Do Nothin’ Til You hear From Me’ written by Duke Ellington and Bob Russell, ‘Lovesick Blues’ by Hank Williams and Theloniuos Monk’s ‘Pannonica’.
Hobgood weighs in with ‘The Waltz’ co-written with featured vocalist, the Grammy Award winning Kurt Elling, who sings on this and two other great tracks.
This is a ‘must have’ collection, with something for everyone; beautifully played, sung and recorded and featuring two of the world’s most wonderful instruments - the piano and the human voice.
In 1996 Hobgood joined with Wertico and bassist Brian Torff to form a new trio called Union. Their two releases, both on The Naim Label, were selected as among the top ten jazz recordings of ‘97 and ‘99 by the Chicago Tribune.
Recorded at Lily Reid Holt Memorial Chapel, Lake Forest College, 12 - 14 March.
"Hobgood's pianism is "shimmering arpeggios, advanced harmonies and a pervasively singing tone" - Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune |