On
June 28, 2024, African-American jazz keyboard player Bob Baldwin
released not 1 but 2 new albums simultaneously. Baldwin grew up in Mt. Vernon, New York and was exposed at a young age by his father, who was a pianist and music teacher, to the legends of jazz: Miles Davis, Oscar Peterson, John Coltrane and others. He played on an acoustic Steinway piano that was more than a hundred years old and last November gathered a trio (drummer Tony Lewis, acoustic bassist Richie Goods and percussionist Café da Silva) in the recording studio to record an album in honor of his father, who died in 2008.
The entire album was recorded in one day and half of the set list consists of songs composed by Coltrane, Davis, Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder. The other half are Baldwin originals with one exception: 'To Wisdom, The Prize' was written by his late cousin Larry Willis, a gifted pianist who played in the original Blood, Sweat & Tears band and for a long time alongside Roy Hargrove, Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band and South African legend Hugh Masekela.
“The cool jazz era of the 1960s was my father's era and the backdrop for my own music foundation. This is a lifelong project for me due to the fact that the piano sound and recording had to be at the right time and because I had to choose songs that were my father's favorites. The jazz of the 1960s was post-bebop and avant-garde. It had a slight pop feel and was easy for the non-music listener. It was tasty and ultimately became the launching pad for contemporary jazz in the 1970s,” said Baldwin, who splits his time between Westchester, New York and Atlanta, Georgia.
Bob started his career in 1988 and since 2008 he has been the host and producer of NewUrbanJazz Radio, a nationally syndicated radio program. He is also the author of 'You Better Ask Somebody! Staying On Top Of Your Career in the Friggin' Music Business', and is currently working on its second edition.
Nice “Straight ahead” instrumental jazz, except for 'The Beginning of Your Dreams' and 'Til We Meet Again', which ends in a sung version. And 'Overjoyed' is a cover of Stevie Wonder.
Highly recommended for those who love traditional jazz.
Tracks:
Equinox
Dolphin Dance
Nardis
Overjoyed
Star Eyes
The Beginning of Your Dreams
Blue Soul
Tell Me A Bedtime Story
South Beach
To Wisdom, The Prize
Til We Meet Again
Til We Meet Again” (vocal)