John Jensen
is a classical
jazz
pianist who on this solo CD explores ten
standards
, plus his own
blues
,
"Don't Cross Lowell."
Jensen
is a melodic player with plenty of technique, although he sometimes sounds as if
were his second language. His versions of
Bill Evans
'
"Waltz for Debby,"
"Don't Get Around Much Anymore,"
"My Foolish Heart,"
and even
Ornette Coleman
's
"The Sphinx"
are well played if not particularly memorable. His interpretations generally
swing
and are logical outgrowths of the melody, with his own musical personality being secondary compared to the tunes themselves. The music on this little-known CD is reasonably enjoyable, just not all that substantial or essential. ~ Scott Yanow