Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson: Get Out of Town

Michael Jefry Stevens on piano, Jeff Siegel on drums and Tim Ferguson on bass—veterans of the New York scene—make up this cooperative trio. Their time as a unit shows in the cohesive arrangements, which give each ample solo time to show off their talent.

Get Out of Town includes five standards, along with four originals, each displaying their compositional expertise.

The band's originality is heard immediately in both the hard-edged, spiky arrangement of "Get Out of Town, and the catchy rendition of "Jeepers Creepers, with its fugue-like beginning and ending, as well as Ferguson's standout bass.

Stevens' "The Last Embrace features Ferguson's probing bass again, along with Siegel's delicate cymbal work. Starting out languidly, Stevens contributes mightily on piano, effectively taking the piece to an exciting climax.

Ferguson's "Momentum gives his bass room to shine, as he puts down a Latin beat. Utilizing his consummate technique, his momentum steadily increases, buoyed by the steady piano and drums. Siegel's "Stealth again shows off his excellent cymbal work as he pushes Stevens' repetitive and hypnotic chordal progressions.

Siegel's serene "Peaceful is highlighted by Ferguson's bowed bass, a solid pillar off of which Stevens bounces a filigree of notes. The delicately swinging standard "Beautiful Friendship is a good choice to conclude the CD, displaying the group's subtle ensemble voice, each member doing his thing while contributing to a beautiful whole.

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