Search - Hal Galper :: Live at Maybeck 6

Hal Galper Has Something to Say

Gary L Connely | Hercules, CA | 01/18/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Maybeck Recital Hall is a tiny, redwood-paneled performance space in a private home in the hills overlooking Berkeley, CA. For many years it was owned by jazz pianist Dick Whittington. Beginning in 1989 and continuing throughout the '90's, Carl Jefferson's Concord Records recorded more than 40 of the very best, often little known, (but not because of lack of talent), jazz pianists, playing solo on one of Mr Whittington's two pianos....



Hal Galper is one of those guys who has played with almost everybody and yet nobody seems to know his name. Mr Galper has played with the likes of Chet Baker, Stan Getz and Bobby Hutcherson and accompanied singers like Anita O'Day, Chris Connor and Joe Williams. When he arrived at Maybeck for this solo recording, he had just finished a ten year stretch with Phil Woods.



Mr Galper is an outstanding hard bop/post-bop player. The play list on "...Maybeck" includes both standards, ("Whisper Not" and "Willow Weep for Me"), and some obscure gems, (Kurt Weill's "It Never Was You"). Mr Galper attacks these songs with his usual two-handed, rock solid rhythmic delivery - but also with a good deal of inventiveness. As critic David Adler observed, "Even in a solo setting, Galper is hearing a band" - but there are some surprises here for all of that.



The sonics are excellent: Clear and warm - you can hear the room."