Now And Then

by Scott YanowMitchel Forman, who usually plays electric keyboards in more "contemporary" settings, sticks to acoustic piano during his heartfelt tribute to Bill Evans. Forman performs eight songs associated with the late pianist along with two of his originals. At times the pianist's style comes remarkably close to his idol, and it helps that his trio has two of Evans' most famous sidemen (bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Jack DeJohnette) helping out. The music is tasteful and swinging and Forman's title cut is strong enough to possibly become a standard itself in the future.