Revolving

Seattle-born Anne Drummond's first instrument wasn't a flute. It was a recorder: a first for many children because of the relative ease with which simple melodies can be played. Introduced in medieval times, the instrument remains quite popular today. As often is the case, the piano followed; that was her primary instrument when she entered New York's Manhattan School of Music at age 18. She also had replaced the recorder with a flute by that time, and played it extensively; even so, she earned her degree on the piano keyboard.

Drummond was raised in a musical family. An aunt exposed the budding musician to modern jazz, using her own collection. Interestingly, Drummond attended the same high school as Quincy Jones and Jimi Hendrix, and her piano teacher at the Manhattan School was Kenny Barron. After hearing her play the flute, Barron invited her to join his band. She did so.

In addition to being a stellar artist on two instruments, Drummond teaches and composes; she wrote all but three of the songs on this release. She cuts a wide swath in the music field, from penning commercial jingles, to joining classical groups and orchestras. She's featured here on both piano and flutes (soprano and alto).

Seven artists joined her: guitarist Vic Juris, additional pianists Benny Green and David Chesky, cellist Dave Eggar, bassist Brandi Disterheft, and drummers Kassar Overall and Keita Ogawa. The menu ranges from spritely up-tempo tunes to balladic/mood selections, everything done with a smooth jazz feel.

You'll want to listen time and again to this project by master musicians. Don't miss it.