With this recording, veteran jazz pianist Kevin O’Connell delivers his long overdue release as a band leader on Hot New York Minutes (out May 15th, 2023).

The set of originals and mostly lesser-known straight ahead jazz songs features the pianist in a quartet with alto and tenor-saxophonist Adam Brenner (a musical friend since the 1980s), bassist Paul Gill and drummer Mark Taylor.

O’Connell has long had his own original voice on the piano within the modern mainstream of jazz. The same can be said for Brenner, who toured extensively with Lionel Hampton and worked with such greats as Dizzy Gillespie, George Coleman, Milt Jackson, Benny Golson, Lou Donaldson, Mel Torme and Phil Woods, among many others.

In short, Hot New York Minutes gives listeners a rare opportunity to hear Kevin O’Connell as a leader and the results will be enjoyed by fans of modern straight ahead jazz for years to come.

1. Newest Blues (4:59)
2. One for Cliff (5:27)
3. Boo Deh Dah (6:14)
4. Playa Culebrita (8:13)
5. Biskit (5:12)
6. Choose Now (5:31)
7. Blue Seven (6:00)
8. For Heaven’s Sake (6:38)
9. One for George (3:49)
10. A Thought (3:12)

On this upbeat and joyously-sculpted new recording, the first tracks we are lovingly brought are the playfully upbeat Cedar Walton track Newest Blues and the spirited One For Cliff and they are dutifully backed by the warmly-rounded swirl and twirl within Boo Deh Dah, the low slung, late night smokey ambience of the Latin-hued Playa Culebrita and then comes the upright bass-led, smooth groove funk of bassist Bill Lee’s Biskit.

Up next is the gently flirtatious Choose Now (a rarely performed Tadd Dameron track) and the beautiful, soulful mid-tempo balladry within Blue Seven, and they are in turn followed seamlessly by the slow roll, lushly-orchestrated, vintage standard For Heaven’s Sake, the album rounding out on the impassioned One For George, coming to a close on the aching yearn found veined throughout another cut from Bill Lee, A Thought.

Hailing from Grand Rapids, MI, Kevin began classical piano at age 4. In New York, he recorded albums with Clifford Jordan and Vernel Fournier, playing with Philly Joe Jones, Billy Hart, Junior Cook, Richard Davis, Cab Calloway and many others.

In Chicago, he has played with artists like Ira Sullivan, violinist Mark O’Connor,and Paul Wertico.

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