Tales of the Pilot: Bud Shank Plays the Music of David Peck

David Peck, a Seattle-based pianist, heads the group Syzygy, a quartet that also includes guitarists David Peterson, bassist Chuck Deardorf and drummer Dave Coleman. Altoist Bud Shank had Peck and Deardorf as regular members of his own unit for a few years before deciding to feature nine of the pianist's compositions (and his full group) during his Capri CD. Shank had become a much more passionate and distinctive altoist since his initial fame as a cool altoist in the 1950s and he is in typically fine form during this pleasing release. Peck's originals range from the gospellish "Why Tell Me Now" and the driving "Cedar and Billy" to the pretty "Waltz for Janet E." and the lyrical ballad "Bouquet of Fires." The music falls into the area of modern mainstream jazz but has enough variety for the set to stay stimulating all the way through.