Search - Renee Rosnes :: Time for Love

She gets better every time

G. Lee | San Juan Capistrano, CA | 08/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love Renee Rosnes. She is a consummate jazz musician who can work within a larger group context (hear her recording with the Danish Radio Big Band), or in the pared down trio format. This is a Japanese recording (not sure what's become of her Blue Note contract?). From the very first tune, she does the unexpected: instead of a flashy, listen-to-my chops workout, she chooses to play an almost languid "Time For Love" that sets the tone for the program to come. She does a soulful interpretation of Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life", and a welcome take on Dave Brubeck's nearly-forgotten tribute to Ellington, "The Duke." Her approach to "The Bad and the Beautiful" is a simple, two-chorus reading, reminding me of Bill Evans' version of "My Foolish Heart" on his legendary 1963 Village Vanguard recording -- i.e., she lets the melody speak for itself. Rosnes long ago became my favorite contemporary pianist. Dive in."

For piano trio lovers

Anthony Cooper | Louisville, KY United States | 12/31/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Renee Rosnes is a well-regarded pianist whose CD's can nonetheless be hard to find. This CD seems to be a Japanese import, I didn't see any reviews of it on American jazz websites. It's a piano trio CD, she's backed by Peter Washington and Lewis Nash, a rhythm section that's easy to find on other contemporary jazz CD's. I'm a tough reviewer of piano trio CD's because it isn't my favorite format (I like horns and/or guitar). With that in mind, this CD is pitched basically right down the middle. There's a mix of tempos ("Suddenly It's Spring" is fast, "Lush Life" is slow) but it's a tidy-sounding CD. The program is mostly standards, though some of them, like "The Duke", are more famous than others. Renee's one original, "Dizzy Spells" is the most vibrant and unique-sounding song on the CD. I'd enjoy more if she shook it up a little bit, like on "Dizzy Spells", but maybe she was aiming it to some specific Japanese market niche?"