Common Ground

by Scott YanowOn this excellent piano trio date, Mike LeDonne explores four of his swinging originals (including "Sir Rah," named backwards for Barry Harris) plus songs by Wes Montgomery, Duke Ellington ("Tonight I Shall Sleep"), Don Redman, and Milt Jackson ("The Rev"). Pianist LeDonne works well with bassist Dennis Irwin and drummer Kenny Washington, and their interplay is one of the main reasons to acquire this fine hard bop outing. Their playing on "The Rev" is particularly soulful. Mike LeDonne, an unsung hero of the New York modern straight-ahead jazz scene, is always worth checking out.