Some favorite musical pieces: a playlist

Bill Evans, Waltz for Debby

Evans (1929-1980) was a genius and he is my favorite musician. Listening to him play Waltz for Debby brings tears to my eyes.

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Igor Stravinsky, Rite of Spring

A revolutionary piece that scandalized the audience when it debuted in Paris in 1913. It can be seen in hindsight to have anticipated the cataclysm of the Great War. I am especially partial to the opening bassoon solo, perhaps because my son plays this beautiful instrument.

Roy Hargrove, Strasbourg St. Denis

A stirring live performance (in Paris, ~2007). Smoking hot solos by Hargrove (T), Gerald Clayton (P), and Justin Robinson (Sax). Hargrove died prematurely in 2018, on the night I was supposed to see him perform in Chicago. RIP Roy Hargrove.

Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto & João Gilberto, The Girl from Ipanema

Composed in 1962 by Antonio Carlos Jobim, The Girl from Ipanema is an iconic expression of the jazz-samba fusion known as the Bossa Nova sound. I love Stan Getz's warm, silky saxophone sound.

Art Pepper, Patricia

I'm a fan of the Amazon Prime series Bosch, partly because LAPD detective Harry Bosch is a jazz lover. I'm tremendously grateful to him (and his creator, Michael Connelly) for introducing me to this stunningly beautiful ballad. It's so peaceful and slow-paced you might not appreciate it during daytime, or while driving your car. But listening to it at night, with the lights dimmed and (if you're over 21) a drink in hand, will transport you to another world.

Arik Einstein, Oof Gozal

Moving lyrics by Einstein; composed by Miki Gavrielov. Stirs the soul.

Kerem Görsev, Tea Party

Gorsev is a gifted Turkish jazz pianist and composer. This piece is from his 2002 album Existence. Incorporating a cello into the combo is brilliant -- it adds so much beauty.