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DAVID NEWTON Out of This World Trio TR 590

1. Out of This World

2. Who Cares?

3. Valse Jaq

4. I'll Be Seeing You

5. Por Toda Minha Vida/O Grande Amor

6. Laverne Walk

7. All Grown Up

8. Lament

9. Looking at You

10. A Felicidade

11. Why Did I Choose You?

David Newton - Piano

Andrew Cleyndert - Bass

Colin Oxley - Guitar

If David Newton was an American, he would be extremely famous in jazz circles. But as he is British (actually Scottish), he is danger of being overlooked when it comes to assessing great pianists. Yet he is a great pianist, as this new CD proves.

The album is a predominantly gentle affair, except for the uppish Laverne Walk, a little-known tune by Oscar Pettiford. Newton has always been a tasteful pianist, with a secure technique which ensures that he can play melodically as well as brilliantly. His elegant touch is evident in such tracks as O Grande Amor. He is joined by two other great British musicians: guitarist Colin Oxley and bassist Andrew Cleyndert. Oxley is the epitome of good taste, as he ilustrates while stating the melody of the title-track and then helping the trio to swing subtly as Newton improvises magically on the theme. Andrew Cleyndert supplies a solid but not intrusive foundation for the group, and his arco solo on O Grande Amor avoids the intonation problems which bedevil many bass solos.

The repertoire is varied, with some unhackneyed jazz standards, a couple of Jobim bossa novas (A Grande Amor and A Felicidade, the latter played in a swinging four-four), and three originals by Newton. Of David's compositions, Valse Jaq is a beautifully understated piece; All Grown Up is another lilting waltz; and Looking at You is a delicate ballad.

Such a generally understated album may seem to risk boredom but the sheer musicianship and inventiveness of these three musicians holds one's attention throughout. I'm particularly glad that the album includes Why Did I Choose You?, a lovely song made memorable by Barbra Streisand and performed here with such feeling as to bring tears to my eyes.

Tony Augarde

www.augardebooks.co.uk

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