John Di Martino: “Passion Flower: The Music Of Billy Strayhorn” (2020) CD Review

Billy Strayhorn was a composer known for his work with Duke Ellington and for writing several numbers that have become jazz standards. Jazz pianist John Di Martino pays tribute to the composer on his new release, Passion Flower: The Music Of Billy Strayhorn, offering fresh takes on some of those classics such as “Lush Life” and “Take The A Train.” Joining him on this album are Eric Alexander on tenor saxophone, Boris Kozlov on bass, and Lewis Nash on drums.

From the moment the disc’s first track opens with that groovy bass line, I am on hooked. This rendition of “Johnny Come Lately” moves and shakes, and features some excellent work on piano. Then when Eric Alexander takes his lead spot, his saxophone blows freely, like a call to everyone in earshot to come on out. And, as if we needed any other reason to love this track, there is a cool drum solo toward the end. Yup, this is a strong opening to the album. Raul Midón then joins the band on vocals for an intimate rendition of “Lush Life,” his vocals supported mainly by John Di Martino on piano. This track has a wonderful late-night vibe. That’s followed by “Rain Check.” The saxophone really cuts loose and flies at moments on this track.  I love that joyous, unrestrained playing. John Di Martino’s playing has some delightfully light touches, likely to make you smile. This track includes a drum solo near the end.

I am obsessed with all things Shakespeare, and so the track that initially drew me to this album is “Star-Crossed Lovers (Pretty Girl).” This piece of music was written for the Duke Ellington record Such Sweet Thunder, the title a play on Romeo’s line “Parting is such sweet sorrow” (yes, Juliet says the line in most productions, but it is only in Q1 that she is given that line; the Q2 and the First Folio assign the line to Romeo). This is a beautiful track, with something of a slow Brazilian rhythm. I just want to get lost in this one sometimes, you know? That’s followed by another composition co-written by Duke Ellington, “Isfahan,” also known as “Elf.” This track features some wonderful work on bass. Then we get a really nice rendition of “Chelsea Bridge,” with its engaging romantic sound, that sound created partly by that work on saxophone. But it is John Di Martino’s sometimes delicate work on piano that is at the heart of this track. That lead section partway through is beautiful. Then toward the end, there is a gorgeous and cool sax solo.

John Di Martino offers a cheerful rendition of “Day Dream” (listed as “Daydream” on the CD case), which draws us in and then gets more exciting as it goes, and has a powerful conclusion. That’s followed by “Passion Flower,” the album’s title track, a beautiful and interesting piece, featuring some moving work on saxophone. I also really like Lewis Nash’s work on drums, which is engaging, particularly as it is perhaps different from what you might expect. Things then get popping and rolling again with “U.M.M.G.” (which stands for Upper Manhattan Medical Group), a song that was included on Duke Ellington’s Jazz Party LP. And this rendition certainly sounds like a party. There is a great energy and joy to the playing, and a delightful momentum. John Di Martino follows that with a gorgeous and compelling rendition of “Blood Count,” performed as a duet of piano and saxophone. This is one of my personal favorite tracks, and apparently was Billy Strayhorn’s final composition, completed while he was in the hospital.

Another of the album’s highlights for me is “Take The A Train.” It sounds like a train approaching at the start, and then gets cooking. I love Lewis Nash’s work on drums throughout this track, and Boris Kozlov’s bass line is just completely bloody great. John Di Martino delivers some exciting work on piano, propelling the track forward and upward, like this train is winding its way up some glorious mountain, flying a few inches above the track. But perhaps my favorite part of this track is that bass solo. Delicious! John Di Martino turns to a more thoughtful number next, “A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing,” which is delivered as a gorgeous piano solo. Then “Absinthe (Lament For An Orchid)” features a prominent bass line that I totally dig. The saxophone blows sweetly above that. John Di Martino concludes this album with another pretty solo piece on piano, “Lotus Blossom.”

CD Track List

1. Johnny Come Lately
2. Lush Life
3. Rain Check
4. Star-Crossed Lovers (Pretty Girl)
5. Isfahan (Elf)
6. Chelsea Bridge
7. Day Dream
8. Passion Flower
9. U.M.M.G.
10. Blood Count
11. Take The A Train
12. A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing
13. Absinthe (Lament For An Orchid)
14. Lotus Blossom

Passion Flower: The Music Of Billy Strayhorn is scheduled to be released on April 10, 2020.