Marian McPartland and Willie Pickens: Ain't Misbehavin - Live at the Jazz Showcase
Not that it should come as any surprise that Marian McPartland--the  longtime host of NPR'sPiano Jazzand a leading figure in jazz piano for over four decades running--has released another fine album of piano duets, but this one is even more satisfying than longtime fans could rightly expect. Transferring the format of her radio program to the stage of Chicago's venerable Jazz Showcase,Ain't Misbehavin'matches McPartland with the veteran Chicago pianist Willie Pickens, and the result is pure piano-jazz heaven. Right from the opening title track, the chemistry between McPartland and Pickens is electric, with McPartland's more reserved style perfectly complementing Pickens's dense and outgoing playing that at times has him sounding like two pianos all by himself. On "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" the two effortlessly trade licks and accompaniment until their styles seem to merge into a wonderfully united blur, and on "Along Came Betty" Pickens's more bluesy soloing style contrasts perfectly with McPartland's accompaniment. But it's the pair's versatility that really pushesAin't Misbehavin'into another sphere, with the two not only trading licks on some well-worn jazz standards but also lighting up some lovely solo performances here as well, like Pickens's impressionistic "Spring Is Here" and McPartland's beautiful rendition of "Autumn Nocturne."--Ezra Gale