Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Jill McCarron Trio: Gin

16

Jill McCarron Trio: Gin

By

Sign in to view read count
Jill McCarron Trio: Gin
Gin, pianist Jill McCarron says of the title of her second recording as leader of the Jill McCarron Trio, refers to the card game of that name, and not to the alcoholic beverage. She balances the joy of winning with the luck of the draw in her entrancing three-part suite. While McCarron leads an admirable threesome (Paul Gill, bass; Andy Watson, drums), this is a trio album with an asterisk, as saxophonist Vincent Herring sits in on four numbers (including the first two) and flugelhornist Randy Brecker and tenor Ada Rovatti make it a quintet on Don Grolnick's light-hearted frolic, "The Whisperer."

Elsewhere, it is McCarron and her working group sparkling in a delightful program that encompasses jazz originals by Horace Silver, Kenny Dorham, Gene Harris, Bill Evans, Junior Mance, George Duke and Denny Zeitlin, and standards by Jerome Kern ("Yesterdays") and Harold Arlen ("My Shining Hour"). Even though her eloquent piano is at the heart of every number, McCarron does not take complete charge until track six, Bill Evans' handsome "Waltz for Debby," which she plays beautifully and all by herself.

"Debby" is followed by "The Gin Suite," whose three movements ("Gin," "Bitters," "Luck of the Draw") are harmonically impressive and melodically irresistible. Herring plays tenor sax on Duke's "Geneva," as he does on "My Shining Hour" (and alto on Silver's "The Jody Grind" and Dorham's "Monaco," which open the session). The trio has its say on Harris' "Blue Bells," "Yesterdays," "Gin Suite," Mance's "Jubilation" and Zeitlin's enchanting finale, "Quiet Now."

Among the album's several highlights, "My Shining Hour" earns first prize, thanks in part to Herring's impassioned solo, with "Waltz for Debby" and "Yesterdays" a close second. On the other hand, nothing here is less than commendable.

Track Listing

The Jody Grind; Monaco; Blue Bells; Yesterdays; My Shining Hour; Waltz for Debby; The Gin Suite (Gin/Bitters/Luck of the Draw); Jubilation; Geneva; The Whisperer; Quiet Now.

Personnel

Vincent Herring
saxophone
Paul Gill
bass, acoustic
Ada Rovatti
saxophone
Chris Haney
bass, acoustic
Chuck Redd
vibraphone

Album information

Title: Gin | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Self Produced


Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Slow Water
Stephan Crump
Contrafactus
Spike Wilner Trio
Psychedelic Rio
Vinicius Cantuaria

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.