Centennial Composers: Richard Rodgers

by Matt CollarPianist Beegie Adair showcases the romantic standards of Richard Rodgers in the first individual CD release from her Centennial Composers Collection Box Set. Featuring such classic songs as "Bewitched," "I Could Write a Book," "My Funny Valentine," and others, Adair performs each tune in an intimate fashion backed by her rhythm section of drummer Chris Brown and bassist Roger Spencer. As is the case with all the music from this collection of Great American Songbook composers, Adair has crafted stylish, mainstream piano jazz that brilliantly capitalizes on the melodic, iconic material.