Search - Roberta Piket Trio :: Live at the Blue Note

The continued growth of a fine artist

Alan Chase | Dover, N.H. | 01/03/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Pianist/composer Roberta Piket is a consummate musican. An artist who brings a rich and solid background to her music. A player who is firmly grounded in the best jazz traditions, but one who is not chained by those traditions. On this, her second recording as a leader, Ms. Piket displays substantial growth in her playing from her fine debut, Unbroken Line on Criss Cross. I won't go into the typical reviewer's "play-by-play" review, as I believe that when it comes to jazz, the music should speak for itself. What I will say is this. Ms. Piket is a thoughtful pianist, who creates solo's that are compositional in structure. What I mean by that is, she does not rely on rote patterns and licks to build her solo's. Rather she combines her deft right hand lines, with her rich left hand accompaniment, creating solo's that are meticulous and story-like. And most important - THEY SWING! The interaction between Ms. Piket and her trio is stunning, particularly between Ms. Piket and drummer Jeff Williams. Williams is a thoughtful, swinging player who burns when called for, but who colors the music beautifully. Williams knows how to listen! Bassist Harvie Swartz plays wonderfully, giving the music the perfect anchor it needs. Ms. Piket plays four standards and three originals here. The group really gets inside the standards, mining fresh new music out of the tunes. The three originals are thoughtfully written and feature the complete capabilities of the ensemble. Saxophonist John O'Gallagher adds alto and soprano sax to two of the originals. He's a fine, swinging player with a nice sound, especially on the soprano. But, it is the trio, and particularly Roberta Piket who shine here. This recording is a superb example of jazz piano trio. And Roberta Piket is a musician whose playing continues to grow and who is deserving of more recognition. Check this one out! Alan Chase Free-Lance Music Journalist Dover, N.H."

Piano trio at its finest

G. Sawaged | Canada | 11/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My favourite type of jazz is the piano trio. And the Roberta Piket trio is fabulous. I picked up this cd in a store, not knowing anything about her, and I have to say, it is one of the best buys I have ever made. Not only is she a wonderful pianist, but she is also a terrific composer. On this disc they play 3 of her original compositions as well as 4 standards. With her wonderful improvisations and reharmonizing the standards become brand new again. On two of Pikets originals, 'Just a Blues' and 'Five-Four Play' the trio is joined by saxophonist John O'Gallagher. I really can't praise this cd enough, just go buy it and see for yourself that the future of the piano trio is in very good hands."