"Don't Be Shy" represents the first recording as a leader by New York Jazz Pianist Pete Malinverni. While his first date, on "Don't Be Shy" Malinverni already possessed many of the attributes for which his playing, composing and band-leading have become known worldwide: an attention to lyrical detail in the service of an organic, infectious, original swing; a sensitive interplay with his collaborators that has made the list of those with whom he has played read like a Who's Who of Jazz; and an ability to encourage his colleagues in a way that makes each of his recordings sound like an intimate group session rather than a showcase for individual skills. Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ in April of 1987, the date features Pete's working trio at that time, with Dennis Irwin, bass and Mel Lewis, drums. This album, in addition to being a stellar freshman outing for Malinverni, offers a unique look at Mel Lewis and Dennis Irwin working outside the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, for which their collaboration is best-known. Here, they showcase their outstanding abilities to work together in the subtly communicative form of the Jazz Piano Trio. Lewis' brushwork -- he plays brushes on most of the tracks -- sets him firmly in the highest rank of the purveyors of that skill and the quality of Irwin's famous beat is matched by his thoughtful solos. The trio covers several Jazz and American Songbook standards, such as Billy Strayhorn's "The Star-Crossed Lovers", Miles Davis' "Nardis", Cole Porter's "I Love You", George Gershwin's "Who Cares", etc. -- each a real gem -- but also works out on two Malinverni originals, "Hester Prynne", a lovely and haunting waltz; and the title track, "Don't Be Shy", on which Mel plays a signature drumset solo. This recording is not to be missed, both for artistic and historical reasons.