Lenny Marcus Trio - Second Set (2014)

What’s New? Another innovative and swinging Lenny Marcus Trio album!
The trio (Lenny Marcus - piano, Rick Eckberg-bass, Larry Scott-drums) is joined by saxophonist/flutist Tom Artwick and afro-cuban percussionist Vladimir Espinosa. The group cleverly blends jazz exploration on classical themes, specifically Beethoven’s Appassionata piano sonata 23, the Emperor Piano Concerto, and Ecossaise in E flat major (following in the band’s Jazz Of Beethoven series). Of course there is plenty of just pure joyous jazz- the straight ahead swing of Second Set and At The Gig, plus hard driving takes on jazz standards ‘What’s New’ and ‘What Is This Thing Called Love’. There is even an original version of Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag simply called “Maple Syrup.” And, just when you think you’ve heard it all, listen to “My Favorite Things” blended with Beethoven’s 5th piano concerto, all in 5/4 time! Now, stick around for the Second Set!
Jazz reviewer Owen Cordle listed Marcus’s Ray Bryant tribute albums “Sun Ray” and “TONK!” in the Top Ten Jazz CD’s of 2012 and 2013, respectively, and the musicians have received rave reviews and international acclaim for their Jazz Of Beethoven album series.

Tracklist:

01. Smoke and Mirrors
02. Second Set
03. Vienna Vamp
04. At the Gig
05. Slow Ecossaise
06. Emperor's Favorite Things
07. Maple Syrup
08. What's New?
09. Full Sun
10. Appassionata Jazz Sonata
11. What is This Thing Called Love
12. Traveling Plans
13. The Emperor