Trip the Light Fantastic

...a pianist of astonishing power and creativity...
- Brad Walseth, Jazz Chicago

From the startling and provocative rendition of opener "Alice in Wonderland," to a gorgeous take on "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry," the legendary pianist continues the ceaseless development of his singular piano trio concept with his bandmates of six years, bassist Jeff Johnson, and drummer John Bishop. "...another fine example of the veteran jazz pianist at the height of his powers - and with no holds barred whatsoever." -Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes.

Production Info:

Recorded by Dana Duke at Big Twig Studio,
Roscoe, NY, Feb. 20, 2011
Mixed by Floyd Reitsma, at Studio Litho
Mastered by Dan Dean, Mercer Island, WA
Liner notes by Ken Dryden
Cover photo by Bill Blanchard
Photography by Carlos Pinto
Design & layout by John Bishop

Reviews of Trip the Light Fantastic

17 Dots, emusic blog (Johan Powell)
Jazz piano vet and highly regarded educator, Hal Galper offers another solid recording to his lengthy discography. Galper has a very identifiable sound, not sure I can adequately compare him to anyone. The way in which he strings notes together, it always leaves me with the impression of falling down a flight of stairs without ever leaving my feet? ...

All About Jazz (Dan McClenaghan)
About eighty percent of the jazz piano players out there can fit into one of two schools: that of the introspective, harmonically rich Bill Evans mode; or the more percussive and gregarious Bud Powell bebop approach. There's also a small slice of the that pie that draws it primary inspiration from bright and splashy Art Tatum/Oscar Peterson pre-bop ...

Jazz Society of Oregon (George Fendel)
I'm really delighted to see Galper return to a straight ahead orientation on a fresh, buoyant new release. Working with Seattle veterans Jeff Johnson, bass, and John Bishop, drums, Galper makes it clear that this is going to be a brisk outing from note one. And that first note brings in "Alice In Wonderland." But this version, as opposed to most ot ...

Jazz Scan (Ric Bang)
If you aren't familiar with pianist Hal Galper, you haven't been paying attention. He was a scholarship student at Boston's School of Music, just a few years after it came into existence in the 1950s; he has more than 80 recordings to his credit ? 20 as a leader ? and, in addition to his skill as a pianist, is a composer, arranger, publisher, teach ...

Downbeat (Chris Robinson)
**** 4-Stars Pianist Hal Galper?s overhauled piano approach, which he calls ?rubato,? is in full effect on his latest trio outing, Trip The Light Fantastic. Galper?s partners, bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop, are perfectly suited for rubato playing, which involves stretching and manipulating tempo, form, harmony and meter. Melodies ...

All About Jazz (Sharon Mizrahi)
LIVE REVIEW - THE NEW SCHOOL, NYC, 3/6/2012 "Here's how it's gonna work," said pianist Hal Galper. Appearing with bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop last month, Galper jumpstarted the New School release concert for Trip The Light Fantastic with a frank rundown of the evening to come. And once the group delved into "Alice in Wonderland, ...

Cadence (Stuart Kremsky)
You can?t help but be inspired and even touched by the continued accomplishments of a respected musician who really doesn?t have anything to prove at this stage of the game but can?t stop growing and experimenting. Pianist Hal Galper, who first recorded with some pretty fast company in the Sixties like Chet Baker, Sam Rivers, and Bobby Hutchers ...

JazzTimes (Ron Wynn)
Pianist Hal Galper's latest release incorporates influences and approaches from multiple camps, a reflection of the versatility he displayed during lengthy stints with Chet Baker and Phil Woods. But it's a sign of his growth as a player that he does it in a manner that's neither tedious nor imitative. Galper sometimes opts for the lyrical, flu ...

Jazz XXI (Portugal) (Paulo Barbosa)

Bird Is The Worm Jazz Blog (Dave Sumner)
Jazz piano vet and highly regarded educator, Hal Galper offers another solid recording to his lengthy discography. Galper has a very identifiable sound, not sure I can adequately compare him to anyone. The way in which he strings notes together, it always leaves me with the impression of falling down a flight of stairs without ever leaving my feet? ...