For those not in the know, 40 years ago, Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette released the seminal recording Standards, Vol. 1, the first of 21 albums over three decades.

Perhaps because he developed a love of their music gradually over time, Noah Haidu has been able to keep a respectful distance, enjoying it more as a listener than as a pianist.

Indeed, once we analyze art it too often losses the magic it possesses when we first encounter it.

But Noah would like to think that he has learned something essential from their body of work, their renditions of standards brought him inspiration, solace and happiness and he hopes the album he has just brought out, entitled Standards, can speak to us all in that very same way.

For that is his singular goal with regard this project, as that is everything that matters.

1. Old Folks (5:12)
2. Just in Time (4:02)
3. Beautiful Friendship (4:25)
4. All The Way (6:06)
5. Someday My Prince Will Come (5:48)
6. You and the Night and the Music (5:31)
7. Ana Maria (6:55)
8. Skylark (4:33)
9. I Thought About You (6:02)
10. Last Dance I (1:18)
11. Last Dance II (6:38)

This delicately-hued, supremely-heartfelt new recording opens on the lounging beauty within Old Folks and the furtively playful Just in Time and they are followed by the ornately-sculpted Beautiful Friendship, the unwinding All The Way and then we get the veritably regal Someday My Prince Will Come.

Along next is the deliciously-frenzied You and the Night and the Music and the blithe Ana Maria and the laid back, cushioned slumber of of Skylark, and they are in turn backed by the laid low finger-snapper I Thought About You, the album rounding out on the sweepingly cinematic Last Dance I intro, and then the near seven minute Last Dance II.

Featuring:
Noah Haidu - piano
Buster Williams - bass (tracks 1-4)
Lewis Nash - drums (tracks 1-7, 9-11)
Peter Washington - bass (tracks 5-7, 9-11)
Steve Wilson - drums (tracks 6-7, 10-11)

Official Website