Across The Crystal Sea - Conducted and Arranged by Claus Ogerman

What a great recording! When I got this, a couple of months ago when it first came out, I almost cried when I played it. It was so like another favorite of mine, the Bill Evans Trio with Symphony Orchestra recording. Finally. Danilo's playing and Ogerman's arranging/conducting are superb. This is not to be missed. And if you like this you may also want to pick up The Gary McFarland Orchestra with Special Guest Soloist: Bill Evans, Bill Evans: Symbiosis with Eddie Gomez, Claus Ogerman - Two Concertos, Gary McFarland's soundtrack to The Eye of the Devil, and Gary McFarland with Steve Kuhn on October Suite. Great music!

My review for this record is simple : MARVELOUS, TOUCHING...There is no weakness, everything is so well balanced, the piano, the orchestra, the voice and of course the arrangements of a real craftsman for many years, Claus Ogerman is a bliss for every musiclover. More of those records and you forget your daily sorrows, believe me.

Well, i only gave it 3 stars because i have only heard clips( i haven't bought it yet) but whati heard blew me away! i just hope the rest doesn't turn into bland,rambling watch the paint dry music. After all we need to hear real music,honest interpretations and observations...and,ok, i'll buy it.

First of all, I'm surprised that nobody has written a review for this album yet. Boy, when you hear it you'll want to own it, let me just get that out of the way.

Danilo Perez is, for those unaware of him, a jazz pianist that has played with way too many jazz greats to list here, but he's paid his dues and has established himself as an intelligent, passionate pianist. He also has that certain Latin feel to some of his lines, which helps to get things cooking.

Here is the lineup for this record:

Danilo Perez - Piano
Christian McBride - Bass
Lewis Nash - Drum
Luis Quintero - Percussion
Cassandra Wilson - Vocal (on two tracks)

All arrangements by Claus Ogerman who's arranging talents can be heard from the late, great Bill Evans, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Diana Krall, amongst others. He does a brilliant job with the string sections, which once you hear them you'll see why he's one of the best arrangers out there today.

The music on this recording is pure musical bliss. Anyone interested in jazz piano trio with string arrangements then look no further. Pick this one up today!