Joey Calderazzo
The fact that the young piano wunderkind Joey Calderazzo worked withBranford Marsalis, who was musically joined at the hip with the late pianistKenny Kirkland, and withMichael Brecker, andBob Belden, speaks volumes to his prowess and promise. On his Columbia debut, Calderazzo performs in the classic piano-trio format with the volcanic drummerJeff "Tain" Wattsand bassistJohn Patitucci.  What makes Calderazzo interesting to listen to is the way he slurs and blurs the influences of the great keyboard giants: the dexterity of Kirkland, plus the lyricism ofKeith Jarretttimes the improvisational surprise ofHerbie Hancock. Overall, the music on this CD rings with the type of neoclassic modernism that reaches back and moves forward, from the whirlwind waltz of "The Oracle" and the abstract adventures on "Detonation" to the plaintive "Haiku" and the hypnotic bass lines on "The Charmer." Calderazzo's rhythmic resurrection of the classicBill Evansballad "Time Remembered" is the teasing tip of the iceberg, which hints at this musician's bright future.--Eugene Holley Jr.