If you love cool-jazz pianist Lennie Tristano as much as I do, then you're likely familiar with Sal Mosca, a student of Tristano's who mastered his singular keyboard approach. And if you dig Mosca, you should be aware of pianist Larry Bluth, a little-known student of Mosca's who recently died on August 26 at age 79. [Photo above, from left, Larry Bluth, Don Messina and Bill Chattin in Yonkers, N.Y., in the 1990s by Joseph Squilante]
Bluth was an extraordinary player who made three excellent albums for Zinnia Records backed by two terrific musicians—bassist Don Messina and drummer Bill Chattin. The albums are Live at Orfeo (1991-'92), Four Concerts and a Landscape (1993-'95) and Formations (1996-'98). Of the three, my favorite for now is Formations, but it's a close call and could change at any time.
Bluth's playing is stellar in the Mosca style, andhis hands seem to be sliding around on the keys as if finger painting rather than playing. The song choices are wonderful—A Rhyme, There Will Never Be Another You, She's Funny That Way, I Never Knew, All of Me, Moonlight in Vermont, Formations, Shoals, Everything Happens to Me, For Sal and On Time.
Songs move backward, then forward, with a liberal use of block chords. Or they seem to roll around gently, like a ball of cotton, touching on a song's familiar melody before rushing off in other directions. Bluth's left and right hands are in constant conversation, playing off each other rather than functioning traditionally, when the left hand plays bass support to the right hand's lead. Meanwhile, Don's bass drives up the middle with muscular precision and Chattin works the breezy brushes. Rustling autumn leaves making music.
This week you're in luck. On Wednesday, Don Messina will be on the radio spinning recordings from these three albums plus other things. You can catch Don with show host Richard Willeche on WOMR in Provincetown, Mass., from 2:30 p.m. to 4 (EDT). Listen from anywhere in the world by going here and clicking "listen." Hey, tis autumn.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Larry Bluth, Don Messina and Bill Chattin's Formations here.
JazzWax tracks: Here's There Will Never Be Another You...
There Will Never Be Another You
Here's Moonlight in Vermont...
And here's Everything Happens to Me...
