Time for that rather rare commodity these days, a pre-bop session for clarinet and piano. Eli Yamin plays the 88s, Evan Christopher the clarinet on Louie's Dream: For Our Jazz Heroes (Yamin Music 37574-8).
A warmly executed set of jazz classics and originals by Yamin and Christopher is what you get. Yamin plays a nicely striding, swinging piano in a mostly post-Ellington vein (to my ears). Christopher plays clarinet less like Goodman than Artie Shaw, maybe a little Edmund Hall in there, too. Or even Jimmy Hamilton. The tone is soulful and beautifully pellucid. And he plays!
Their originals are strong, especially the Mahalia Jackson tribute "Let His Love Take Me Higher," which others might cover too!
So the individual numbers, as implied above, are often dedicated to a "jazz Hero:" Duke, Mercer, Bigard, Bechet, Trane, Mary Lou Williams, and even Amira Baraka.
The vitality of the playing is what wakes you up, for starters. Both are very sincerely immersed in swing and pre-swing styles and they have the warmth of conviction. It's a heck of a nice set!! Recommended!
Eli Yamin plays the 88s, Evan Christopher the clarinet on Louie's Dream: For Our Jazz Heroes (Yamin Music music saves lives
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