REAL WORLD TRIO Relaxing, graceful jazz by seasoned pianist, John Tennyson and his trio - Tony Scherr on double-bass, and Terry Silverlight on drums (with guests, Randy Brecker on flugelhorn and Dewey Redman on tenor saxophone). The record is a relaxing and impressive collection of eight jazz instrumental pieces - it is not light jazz - Tennyson's trio has the technical ability to reek havoc on the keys, strings, and skins - but this CD showcases acrobatic restraint, as each composition comes off subtly and beautifully, with solo sections that play outside and inside - with interesting and melodic choices during the improvisations. The CD opens up with melodic, "Lena", a medium-slow ride cymbal groover that features a gorgeous melody and tasty bass solo by Scherr. Track 3, "Brooklyn Days", is fast moving and furious, with comping from Tennyson that plays underneath the tempo, classy. Other highlights include the late jazz club nuances of track 4, "Pina's Dream"; track 7, "Family", featuring the breathy and alive sax work of Redman; and "The Last Good-Bye". This final track has an accessible melody that is all its own, and reminds us in the air of the chords of the piano playing of Bruce Hornsby - although several layers deeper as it is still jazz, with dynamics that are not found in pop. Tennyson opens the tune with nearly 2 minutes of bare piano, notably played on his 7 foot Steinway "B" Piano built in 1940, from BMG Studios. Overall, this is some of the finest instrumental music, jazz or otherwise available. Great, great CD! -Don Kimenker/earBuzz.com REAL WORLD TRIO REVIEWS "Introspective and ingratiating piano trio jazz that swings like Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett." -Chuck Berg/Jazz Times "The finest of the best - Tennyson is incomparable in his delicate sense of melody and dynamics - a powerhouse of an intuitive musical language. Rhythms intoxicate and John's technical runs amass awe in the experience." -Don Kimenker/earBuzz.com BIOGRAPHY John Gentry Tennyson John Gentry Tennyson, pianist/composer and recording artist for Angel/EMI Records began his musical career in New York recording and performing with such diverse artists as Al Di Meola, Hiram Bullock, Will Lee, Tom Harrell, Chuck Loeb, Terri Lyne Carrington, Monty Alexander, Bucky Pizarelli, Grady Tate, Terry Silverlight, Martika, Sophie B. Hawkins, Sarah Brightman and most recently as musical director for BJ Crosby and Jennifer Holliday. John has also toured Europe extensively with his group, the Real World Trio, with guest artists including Randy Brecker and Dewey Redman. He also plays every Monday night at the Iridium Jazz Club with the legendary, Les Paul (for the last 7 years). In addition to his Angel Records CD, Europa, two new European releases, PopJazz (Pop and Jazz Fusion) and Mi Rojita (Latin Piano Trio Music), are forthcoming this Spring and Summer of 2004, respectively. ALBUM INFORMATION Band Personnel: Piano-John Gentry Tennyson Bass-Tony Scherr Drums-Terry Silverlight Flugelhorm-Randy Brecker Tenor Sax-Dewey Redman Recorded and mixed by Michael Brorby at Acoustic Recording/Brookyn, NY. Mastered by Howie Weinberg at Masterdisk Studios/NYC. Produced by John Gentry Tennyson and Barry Salmon.