Beyond This Place (2024)

"Pianist and composer Kenny Barron, a towering figure in the jazz world with 13 Grammy nominations and induction into the American Jazz Hall of Fame, has been at the helm of sophisticated post-bop for many decades, never shying away from reinventing jazz standards, reshaping his own originals, or composing anew. He does all that in his latest album, "Beyond This Place", for which he enlisted a multigenerational group featuring rising star saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, veteran vibraphonist Steve Nelson, and his regular rhythm team of bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa and drummer Johnathan Blake. In turn, the freshly penned title track is a gospel-infused ballad that reflects Barron’s refined pianism and melodic sensibility. "Beyond This Place" marks a strong return for Barron, characterized by stimulating conversational exchanges and masterful musicianship." (JazzTrail; 4 uit 5 sterren)