Bill Mays

Pianist Bill Mays and trumpeter Marvin Stamm have been longtime friends, and have worked together on an occasional basis through the years. Cellist Alisa Horn considers Stamm to be her mentor, and she was introduced by the trumpeter to Mays in 2005. This CD has four trumpet or flügelhorn/piano duets from 2001 and four numbers (including the three-part "Fantasy") by the trio from 2005. Mays and Stamm have played classical duets as part of their repertoire in concert and, since Horn comes from classical music (though she is working at building up her improvising skills), the music often utilizes classical melodies including selections from Rachmaninov, Debussy, Scriabin, Gershwin, and Debussy. In two cases, the pieces are medleys that match together complementary classical and jazz pieces. These renditions of "Baubles, Bangles and Beads," "Vocalise," and Gershwin's "Prelude No. 2" are particularly memorable and Bill Mays' inventive and tasteful arrangements, along with the individual solos, make this a highly recommended disc. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide