It is a perfect ending for one of Johnny Costa’s very best all-round recordings

Johnny Costa, who has spent many years playing for the Mister Rogers children’s television series, is a brilliant pianist whose main influences are Art Tatum and Teddy Wilson. For this tribute to the music of George Gershwin, Costa explores a wide variety of Gershwin material, from very famous songs to relative obscurities. Seven of the 14 tracks are medleys that cover the essence of each selection, including brief glimpses of ‘Concerto in F,’ ‘An American in Paris,’ and (as a climax) the last section of ‘Rhapsody in Blue.’ The closing six-minute ‘Jazzspeak’ features Costa talking about this project, what his philosophy was behind the solo recital, and how he hoped to treat Gershwin’s music. It is a perfect ending for one of Johnny Costa’s very best all-round recordings.

Track Listing

• Strike Up The Band
• Bidin’ My Time / I’ve Got A Crush On You / Nice Work If You Can Get It
• Liza / Concerto In F / The Man I Love / Who Cares
• Shall We Dance
• Love Walked In
• S’Wonderful / Oh! Lady Be Good
• But Not For Me
• Porgy And Bess Medley
• An American In Paris / Mine / Swanee
• Embraceable You
• Somebody Loves Me / He Loves And She Loves
• Clap Yo’ Hands
• Someone To Watch Over Me
• Concerto In F / I’ve Got Rhythm / Rhapsody In Blue
• Jazzspeak

Additional Details

Label:Chiaroscuro Records

Genre:Jazz

Run Time:74:01 mins

Release Date:03/04/02

UPC:091454033522