Pete Jolly

Pete Jolly and his sidemen (bassist Chuck Berghofer and drummer Nick Martinis) celebrated their 21st year as a regularly working trio with this fine V.S.O.P. CD. The musicians sound quite enthusiastic and creative within the boundaries of straight-ahead jazz, showing that they had not run out of ideas yet. Jolly alternates hot pieces with ballads, standards with obscurities. It is a particular pleasure to hear the powerful pianist interpret such rarely performed songs as George Wallington's "Variations," "Crazeology," Al Cohn's brooding ballad "Ah-Moore" and Shorty Rogers' "Diablo's Dance." Other highlights of the enjoyable set include Horace Silver's "Yeah," "Lullaby of the Leaves" and Zoot Sims' "The Red Door." All those years of playing together have definitely paid off. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide