NEIL ADLER

EMI’S SONG

EJA Records

Neil Adler, piano/chromatic harmonica/melodica/composer; Jeff Buenz, six-string bass; Akira Tana, drums; Carlitos Medrano, congas.

As a lover of music and a born educator, Neil Adler teaches piano, engages in studio work, and more recently began playing the chromatic harmonica. He was inspired by the legendary Toots Thieleman, who personally encouraged him.  The first tune on his album is an original composition. It’s the title tune and features Adler playing harmonica and piano.

Adler has chosen musicians that know him well and are seasoned veterans. Jeff Buenz adds flavor to the mix on his six-string bass.  Carlitos Medrano is a Cuban conga player, who spices the session up with his percussive excellence.  The talented Akira Tana is on drums, while Adler plays both instruments he loves,harmonica and piano.  His repertoire includes a very fresh and appealing arrangement on the standard song, “Bésame Mucho.”  Then the group soaks us in ‘the blues’ on an Oliver Nelson tune titled, “Yearnin’.”  Jeff Buenz is given several bars to solo and show us his mastery on the six-string bass.

Neil Adler has composed three songs for this project; the title tune, “Emi’s Song” and “Blues for McCoy.”  I assume that McCoy Tyner was an inspiration on this pianist’s musical journey.  The third composition is “Nelson’s Son” that mambos on the scene with a Latin arrangement that gives his percussionists, Carlitos Medrano and Akira Tana, an opportunity to shine. Adler also has recorded songs by Herbie Hancock (Tell Me a Bedtime Story) and he offers us a Bill Evans Medley.  I was thoroughly entertained when Adler sang “The Peacocks” on his chromatic harmonica.  It sounded so beautiful.  This might be my favorite on his entire album. Then Neil Adler plays “Tenderly” and further touches my heart with his wonderful harmonica tone. This becomes a medley into the well-loved standard tune, “That’s All.”  They end this concert with “Donna Lee,” a popular Charlie Parker tune. It’s just Adler, standing in the spotlight solo and blowing his mouth organ, like a regular pied piper.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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