East of the Sun

The 2019 CD release of East Of The Sun by Michael Kocour will strike a positive chord among fans of jazz piano. For the ten-track release, the artist's third album of solo piano, Michael cracks open the Great American Songbook and the results are both surprising and quite ear-opening. The liner notes by Mark Stryker are quite illuminating as it speaks of the art of jazz improvisation and how the best improvisers take the listener on a scenic trip into the realms of free jazz and bebop. The title track is an unknown gem written in 1934 by Brooks Bowman. Michael tackles great song classics, written by composing legends like Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, Harold Arlen, George Gershwin and more, including a CD closing jazz piano instrumental version of the country pop classic "I Can't Stop Loving You", composed by country music icon Don Gibson and made famous as a timeless, chart-topping pop song by Ray Charles. Michael claims these songs as his own although he underscores his delivery in the style of his piano heroes, including Hank Jones, Thelonious Monk and Tommy Flanagan. Recorded in Mesa, Arizona, Michael Kocour's East Of The Sun won't fail to win over the most informed jazz music disciple. www.michaelkocour.com