Ruby Braff / Roger Kellaway, Inside & Out, Concord

[thomastreichler]

Hello everybody. I, an ardent jazz fan and hobby musician from Switzerland, am new to this board (as a member, not as a guest) and would like to start a new thread as my first contribution to the forum.

This is a beautiful record that represents everything that makes jazz such an exceptional art form: Two masters on their respective instruments improvising on nine standards by some of the best songwriters, interplaying on the highest level and swinging like mad (without the help of bass and/or drums).

Roger Kellaway, in my humble opinion, simply is one of the most accomplished and interesting, but at the same time under-appreciated jazz pianists with a stunning technique and a powerful left hand, capable of playing convincingly in any style from stride to be-bop and beyond. His playing on this set is no less than masterful, whether accompanying Braff or soloing imaginatively. His playing is full of twists and turns but always keeps a swinging pulse.

Ruby Braff displays all his virtues: beautiful tone, sometimes bright sometimes shady, harmonic richness and melodic inventiveness.

The interplay between the two musicians is striking. Both are very much steeped in the tradition and at the same time open for modern conceptions.

For me this is a most satisfying and exciting recording and therefore highly recommended.

[Stereojack]

I agree - this is a wonderful record. I had a conversation with Ruby around the time this came out, and he had nothing but praise for Kellaway's musicianship.