Kirk Lightsey - Lightsey to Gladden

In January 1991, when he recorded this scintillating date, now released for the first time, Kirk Lightsey was one of New York's first-call pianists, a regular in the rotation at Bradley's, the legendary New York piano saloon. Here he convenes a cohort of New York A-listers: trumpet giant and fellow Detroiter Marcus Belgrave, tenor saxophonist and flautist Craig Handy, then making his first impact on the scene, bassist David Williams, who could boast a decade's experience as Cedar Walton's bassist of choice, and drummer Eddie Gladden, Lightsey's bandmate with Dexter Gordon's group. They play a programme that includes strong repertoire by Lightsey, Wayne Shorter, Detroit drummer Lawrence Williams and choice standards.