Andy LaVerne

[Tom 1960]

What do you guys think of this pianist? I enjoy his Maybeck disc along with the Bud Powell tribute album "Beautiful Bud" recorded on the Steeplechase label. I see he's recorded quite a number of releases for this label and your input on these releases would also be appreciated. Thanks.

[Larry Kart]

I'm not always a LaVerne admirer -- when he was sideman with Getz, his comping could be quite intrusive/insensitive at times -- but this 1993 LaVerne quartet album is stunning:

http://www.amazon.com/Double-Standard-Andy-Laverne/dp/B0000057Q8

It's five standards and five contrafacts on them (the latter all LaVerne's work), and the only horn, quirky tenor saxophonist Billy Drewes, plays his ass off. Don't know if Drewes counts Warne Marsh among his inspirations, but it sure sounds like it. If so, he takes Marsh to some wild and crazy places -- rhythmically and harmonically.

[Peter Friedman]

Andy LaVerne would not rank among my favorite living jazz pianists, but I do enjoy some of his CDs on Steeplechase.

[Larry Kart]

Here are two examples of LaVerne the accompanist stepping all over Stan Getz and Bob Brookmeyer (IMO). Mike Richmond is also culpable here, but that's mostly because of the way he's amplified:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok4ZJ5dS4N4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUUV2ti8zy0

[Larry Kart]

OTOH, here are LaVerne and Richmond with Billy Hart and Billy Drewes from 2012 concert, a more satisfying occasion IMO:

Some really nutty, perhaps Marsh-influenced Drewes here, from 1992:

[Late]

I like LaVerne best sans horns. Check out the 1978 Steeplechase duo record with Mike Richmond entitled For Us. There are a few bass solos that go on just a little too long, but there's also a palpable sense of back-and-forth between the two. It's also well-recorded.

[Brad]

I have his Tadd's Delight. Pretty good although I haven't played it too many times.

[Justin V]

I'm a fan of LaVerne's Liquid Silver, a Bill Evans tribute that features John Abercrombie, Eddie Gomez and Peter Erskine, along with a string quartet on a few tracks.

[Larry Kart]

I'm a fan of LaVerne's Liquid Silver, a Bill Evans tribute that features John Abercrombie, Eddie Gomez and Peter Erskine, along with a string quartet on a few tracks.

Hey -- I've got that one, too, but forget about it. Need to pull it out and listen again. IIRC it's quite good.

[etherbored]

that's perhaps a strange title for a bil evans tribute....