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CD Reviews: Don Stille, “Keys To My Heart”
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Posted by: editoron Friday, February 22, 2008 - 09:45 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A much in-demand first call musician in the Chicago area, virtuoso pianist Don Stille presents his second album as leader recording a repertoire of eleven uncommon standards playing the piano and the not so common accordion in a light trio setting. Stille is the regular pianist of Rob Parton’s Jazztech Big Band, one of the finest ensembles in the country. He has also played with The Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra and is the accordion player with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
The pianist leads his own trio where he maintains a full-time schedule playing at area clubs, concerts, clinics and other venues. On this recording, he is joined on six tracks by drummer Bob Rummage, one of the original members of the Jazztech band, drummer Charlie Braugham on the other tracks and Stewart Miller, John Bany and Dick Bunn sharing the duties on bass.
Recording five tracks on the accordion, Stille lends a new twist to such time-honored classics like Bill Evans’s “B Minor Waltz,” Ellington’s “Squeeze Me” and Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life.” While Stille’s treatment of these tunes is intended to paint the pieces within the straight ahead jazz genre, sometimes you can’t help but feel that you’re listening to the music from the sidewalk of a French Café. Stille plays with fire on Wayne Shorter’s “Yes and Me,” in striking contrasts to the soft ballad finale “Goodbye” where the accordion moves to slow and beautiful grind.
While very impressive on the accordion, it is his nimble fingers on the keys that blows one away when he plays. His fluid technique and sophisticated improvisations on the piano mark this album as special. Right from the opening “Time On My Hands” Stille forges a unique style of his own with his quickness on the keys. The Lennon/McCartney immortal tune “And I Love Her” is one of the best renditions of this classic ever recorded. Irving Berlin would not recognize what Stille has done to his “Cheek to Cheek” a tune he tares up with incredible play. Some how I cannot imagine Ginger Rodgers and Fred Astaire dancing to this version, just way too cool!
Stille performs solo on the beautiful ballad-like rendition of “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” where he demonstrates superlative chops as he lays down light delicious chords. The other tune that caught my ear is the melody-rich “Snowfall” that comes across in a relaxing mode. Don Stille’s “Keys To My Heart” showcases a masterful performance by one of the best pianist/musicians in the jazz world today. Stille succeeds in making a powerful musical statement with this recording that jazz critics and audiences alike are sure to notice.
Year: 2008
Label: Self Published
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