Harold Danko

Harold Danko is a perfect example of a veteran musician who might not be recognized by the average jazz listener but who is composing interesting originals and finding new approaches to others' songs. An underrated but consistently creative modern jazz pianist, Danko has been an asset to many sessions through the years. From the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, Lee Konitz, or as the pianist of choice for Chet Baker.

Many of his CDs have been for the Danish label Steeplechase and fans will discover on our website easy access to the wealth of great music that Danko has recorded for the label since the mid-'90s, which features fresh interpretations of familiar songs along with deserving but lesser-known works. This trio session with Jay Anderson on bass, who steps in replacing Michael Formanek – who is currently involved in his on projects like the fascinating Ensemble Kolossus  - and Jeff Hirsfield on drums perform eight original compositions plus two Duke Jordan tunes, "Paula" and "If I Did - Would You?", which Duke performed on his classic 1974 SteepleChase album 'Flight to Denmark'. This is not a typical piano-bass-drums session, but one where all three players are actively engaged in interplay, rather than just a "follow the leader" date.

PERSONNEL:

HAROLD DANKO, piano
JAY ANDERSON, bass
JEFF HIRSFIELD. drums

TRACKS:

01. Fall Splits
02. Homing Instinct
03. Big Squeeze
04. Lost in the Breeeze
05. Salt ‘n’ Sugar
06. Stumble Crush
07. Fish Road
08. Paula
09. If I Did - Would You?
10. Singularity