Take The “A” Train – 1998

Michel Petrucciani

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Michel Petrucciani (1962-99) was a brilliant if short-lived pianist who overcame his physical difficulties to create quite a bit of timeless music.

At the 1998 Montreal Jazz Festival, he headed a sextet also including trumpeter Flavio Boltro, trombonist Denis Leloup, altoist Stefano Di Battista, electric bassist Anthony Jackson, and drummer Steve Gadd.

They perform a rather unusual version of “Take The ‘A’ Train” with the pianist setting the mood with a rapid and repetitive bassline

While the three horns split a solo chorus, the focus is on Petrucciani’s rhythmic ideas which set up quite a groove along with the concise electric bass and drum solos.

The result is an unusual but satisfying version of Duke Ellington’s theme song.

-Scott Yanow

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