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Things Are
Looking Up!

“What’s swinging in words? If a guy makes you pat your foot and if you feel it down your back, you don’t have to ask anybody if that’s good music or not. You can always feel it.”

— MILES DAVIS (1955)

With this disc, my third release, the more ‘swinging’ side of my musical personality is emphasized for the first time. The piano trio has occupied a prominent role in the development of jazz, and my desire here is to pay homage to this grand tradition. The program is balanced by a few solo piano selections and by a piano/drums duet. Above all, this is music to snap your fingers to!

Things Are Looking Up dates from 1937. Too seldom performed today, it’s a typically brilliant Gershwin collaboration – witty, tuneful, and great fun to ad-lib on.

We next play the shuffle tune Doxy (1954), an early gem from the pen of tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins, whose brilliant improvisations continue to captivate me.

The sprightly Seven Steps to Heaven, from the 1963 Miles Davis LP of the same name, has long been one of my favorite compositions. Its co-author, Victor Feldman (a highly successful studio musician), deserves to be more widely recognized for the jazz legacy he left us, both as pianist and writer.

Blues for Alan is one of two spontaneous solo blues performances.

When I Fall In Love dates from the early 1950s. Among the most popular love songs of its time, it remains one of the most beautiful tunes I have ever heard.

January Waltz was written in January 1991. With this piece, I’ve sought to portray a positive, upbeat spirit.

Miles Remembered was composed in the fall of ’91, shortly after I’d heard of Miles’ passing. Its style recalls the period from the mid-’50s to the early ’60s or so, when Miles and his bands were playing some of the greatest music of this (or any other) century.

Blues for David, the other solo blues number, is dedicated to my brother the Navy man – currently stationed in Panama. Let’s hope we can see each other again soon!

Shifting gears, The Look In Your Eyes is a bossa nova, written in 1989. Its harmonies are somewhat reminiscent of Herbie Hancock’s late ’60s composition Speak Like A Child.

R and D at Hattie’s, from 1992, takes us back into a relaxed shuffle. For six years I was house pianist at Hattie’s lounge, a Rochester, NY jazz club. The piece is dedicated to Ruth and David, two erstwhile friends who used to regularly stop up to hear me – and dance!

Pitter-Patter takes us back to the era when jazz was, first and foremost, dance music. This duet recalls those great tap dancers of yesteryear, with Tommy playing the role of the ‘hoofer’ in fine style.

The recording quietly concludes with Shalom (1990), another piano solo. With a nod to Horace Silver’s gorgeous ballad Peace, Shalom is an expression of love for the Jewish people – and a prayer for a truly peaceful, safe and secure Israel.

And so, on behalf of Tommy and Gerald, I sincerely hope you receive as much enjoyment in the listening as we did in the playing.

Paul Hofmann