Andrew McCormack Trio – Live in London
(Edition Records EDN1037. CD Review by Chris Parker)

Recorded live at the 606 Club in August 2012, this digital album/video consolidates pianist Andrew McCormack’s reputation as a vigorous (often downright rumbustious) but imaginative and thoughtful soloist and considerable composer.

His partners may have changed (his debut Dune album Telescope featured Tom Herbert and Tom Skinner; this one has bassist Chris Hill and drummer Troy Miller performing rhythm-section duties), but his palpable enthusiasm and energy remain undimmed since his 2005 eruption on to the recording scene.

Here, he addresses six originals, mostly vigorous post-bop themes with accommodating chord sequences, and two standards: Ray Henderson’s ‘Bye Bye Blackbird’ and Jerome Kern’s evergreen, ‘Smoke Gets in Your Eyes’, both relatively daring choices, given their familiarity from (piano) versions by Keith Jarrett and Thelonious Monk, respectively.

McCormack wisely avoids apeing these classic interpretations in any way, subtly shifting the rhythmic emphasis of each tune so as to put his fresh personal stamp on them, and the overall impression left by this impressive album is of a rapidly maturing and accomplished pianist/composer, whose next (studio) album is eagerly awaited.