John Medeski & Lee Shaw
Together Again: Live At The Egg
Artists Recording Collective
www.artistsrecordingcollective.com

The Lee Shaw Trio
Live At The Art gallery: Reutlingingen
Artists Recording Collective
www.artistsrecordigncollective.com
By George W. Harris

Here are a couple of releases by an undeservedly overlooked artist; Oklahoma born and bred pianist Lee Shaw, presently trucking along at the nimble age of 84, has, along with her husband Stan, been the “local rhythm team” for visiting luminaries like Dexter Gordon, Frank Wess, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims and Pepper Adams. Finally getting her place in the spotlight, she doesn’t waste a single moment, producing a pair of very impressive discs that brim over with elegance, melody and swing.

Her most famous student, John Medeski, joins up with Saw and Rich Syracuse/b and Jeff Siegel/dr for a twin keyboard quartet that delivers an evenings’ fill of expansive improvisations without losing track of the modern melodies. Shaw’s tunes like “Holday” and “Tears” have a stately charm that give plenty of space for the keyboards, along with some conversational rhythm interplay. Medeski gets a chance to shine on his “Solo Piano Piece,” while Shaw works through some wondrous hues on “Blues 11.” Lots of grooves that you’d expect from MM&W, but with an added depth of thoughtful soloing. Great stuff.

Even better is the gig with a pair of saxophonists who play like it’s supposed to be done. Both tenorist Johannes Enders and bari player Michael Lutzeier have the type of tone that seems lost on this present generation. Thick, rich and oozing like molasses, they team together with the same trio and produce some of the best music I’ve heard in years. Lutzier’s reading of “Body and Soul” is definitely in the 95th percentile of readings, while Enders’ handling of Coleman’s “Turnaround” and the slithering “It’s All Right With Me” are as personal as a Puccini Aria. Shaw displays her precious fingerwork on the solo take of “Lonely Town” which will make you wonder if there are any other releases by her in, oh, say the past 50 years. Look far and wide for this delight!