Listeners are swept into the audience’s excitement of this expertly engineered LIVE recorded album of piano trio jazz with bass and drums, which explores an energy infused repertoire that soars, swings, and triumphs across a range of musical grooves.
Songs include What Am I Here For, Only Trust Your Heart, Joy Spring, Love Dance, Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing, Sweet and Lovely, The Peacocks, and Cherokee.
Listen to sample clips and purchase the album here: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/richcrandalltrio
“LIVE” at Studio 6 is the only recorded session from Rich Crandall’s remarkable/legendary ten-year run at this Honolulu venue. This dynamic album captures the exhilaration and joy that audiences came to expect during Crandall’s weekly performances there. Bassist Dean Taba and drummer Abe Lagrimas are synergistic collaborators in Crandall’s display of stylistic virtuosity—ranging from pensive to propulsive on standards, both ethereal (The Peacocks) and rhythmically irresistible (Cherokee). Rich Crandall, the rare thoughtful pianist who can swing, invariably leaves his audience wanting more. This recording shows why.
Many enthusiasts feel the intimate club is best for capturing the excitement of exploring through jazz improvisation. The artist goes to the “edge” to uncover what’s “right” in the moment, while audience members both witness and participate in the process. Ramsey Lewis’s “In Crowd” and Cannonball Adderley’s “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” are two classic examples. “Live” is how audience and musicians can come together in a unique synergy—a “happening”, if you wish.
Crandall, Taba, and Lagrimas found that energy while joining forces to create this album at Honolulu’s Studio 6—loose enough yet tight enough to make each moment a discovery. The ensemble work is clean yet organic; the individual solos explore with imagination.
Sound engineer Tim Pinch flew his audio equipment from LA to Honolulu especially to record this night with the trio. He’d heard how Studio 6 was a “scene” and wanted to capture it. The high quality sound of this album fully immerses listeners in the night’s action.
Rich Crandall, originally from Chicago, has made Honolulu home now for decades. He’s covered all the islands doing club work, concerts, accompaniment, and education workshops. His “Jazz-In-The-Schools” program was a statewide success. “LIVE” at Studio 6 is Rich’s sixth recording following Solo Travel, Soothsayer, ‘Til Further Notice, Last Takes with Rory, and “Buddy Nowhere” 1930s. Rich’s trio also accompanies on daughter Angela’s albums, Shine and Malaika.
Both Dean Taba and Abe Lagrimas, Jr. were born and raised in Honolulu, and both are graduates of the Berklee College of Music. Dean relocated to Los Angeles in 1984 and established himself during his three decades there as a highly regarded performer in clubs, concerts, CDs (including his own “For Friends” release), TV shows, and movie sound tracks. Credits include David Benoit, Hiroshima, Dave Koz, and Bill Watrous. Dean currently lives and works Honolulu.
Abe, although best known a drummer, is also highly proficient on vibraphone and ukulele. Abe currently resides in Los Angeles, California, but he has performed, recorded, and toured with his own groups and other artists around the world, including Korea, China, Japan, Australia, Finland, and South Africa.
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