Kevin Hays

Open Range

2006-06-02

Exquisite solo piano jazz numbers from accomplished composer Kevin Hays, who has played with jazz greats such as Sonny Rollins, John Scofield and Joshua Redman. There is one vocal number on the disc: a unique rendition of “You Are My Sunshine,” but performed in a way that completely remakes the song. Three other songs (#2, #4, #9) contain some Native American vocalizing in the background to go with the album’s theme. One other selection (“Harmonium”) finds Hays “dampening” the strings of the piano and plucking them from the inside of the instrument. This is reflective, quiet -- almost classical – music rather than your Friday-drive-home soundtrack.

More reviews tagged #Jazz

  • reviewed 07/2017

    Sounds Of April & Randall
    S.O.A.R.

  • reviewed 11/2007

    LUCIANA SOUZA
    The New Bossa Nova

  • reviewed 11/2007

    THE CHARLES MINGUS SEXTET
    Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy - Cornell 1964

  • reviewed 05/2006

    The RH Factor
    Distractions

  • reviewed 04/2012

    TODD BISHOP GROUP
    Little Played Little Bird

  • reviewed 08/2007

    SONNY FORTUNE
    You and the Night and the Music

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.