Listening to Denny Zeitlin has often felt like accepting an invitation to the unknown. Zeitlin has never been content to simply play a tune. He probes it, turns it inside out, and often uncovers possibilities most musicians overlook.
Odyssey reinforces that reputation. Although much of the material spans different periods of his career, the album never feels like a nostalgic exercise. Instead, it captures an artist whose curiosity remains remarkably intact.
The trio’s 2003 concert performances, featuring the late bassist Mel Graves and drummer George Marsh, remind us of what made this partnership so rewarding. There is complete trust among the three performers, allowing the music to unfold naturally rather than following…
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Richard Rodgers’ melodic genius has long been a favoured playground for jazz musicians, but few reimagine his work with the intellectual depth and intuitive poetry of pianist Denny Zeitlin.
On With a Song in My Heart, Zeitlin offers a riveting solo piano exploration of eleven Rodgers classics, combining architectural reharmonization, rhythmic invention and unflinching emotional insight. This is not mere homage; it is a deeply personal conversation with one of the 20th century’s great composers.
The first half of the program was recorded live at the Piedmont Piano Company on December 13, 2019, while the other half was recorded at Zeitlin’s Double Helix Studio at his home, during sessions in November and December of the same…