West of 5th

by Ken DrydenVeteran pianist Hank Jones is hardly slowing down at the age of 87, as heard on this beautifully recorded session in early 2006. With drummer Jimmy Cobb (who sticks to brushes) and Christian McBride rounding out his potent trio, Jones keeps old warhorses like "On Green Dolphin Street" fresh, giving ample space to his partner and adding a humorous detour into Billy Strayhorn's "Rain Check." Other highlights include his elegant treatment of his late brother Thad's timeless ballad "A Child Is Born" and a hard driving take of Charlie Parker's "Confirmation." McBride shows depth beyond his years with strong accompaniment and swinging solos. This Hybrid Super Audio CD, recorded without any gimmickry such as remixing or compression, enables the listener to enjoy these intimate performances as if sitting in the studio with the players. Highly recommended!