Cubist

One of the un-heralded giants of jazz, pianist Hal Galper displays style, class and the taste that only comes from years of being on the scene. He brings up fellow vet Jerry Bergonzi/ts along with the supple support of Jeff Johnson/b and John Bishop/dr for a mix of standards and originals. Of the latter, the team stretches out on Johnson's own "Scene West" with some lyrical bass work and Galper delivering substance and accessible creativity, with the team dancing to his "Kiwi." Casual hipness reigns on the sublime "Israel" as Bergonzi hovers like a Nimbus cloud, and a relaxed casualness makes the tricky "Solar" with Bergonzi puffing like Popeye on his pipe seem deceptively easy. Like watching magicians, you gotta keep your eyes on their hands, and they keep them faster than the eye (or ears!).