Tributes, Portraits and Other Stories (2008)

About this title: In the 21st century there are relatively few active pianists who specialize in stride piano, though French pianist Louis Mazetier, a radiologist whose ability to tour has been limited, is one of the top stride stylists in Europe. Prior to this record date, he had recorded a pair of release for Stomp Off and a duo date with stride master Dick Hyman, but he's solo for this outing. He romps through James P. Johnson's "You've Got to Be Modernistic" and displays a bit of Art Tatum-like flourishes in his treatment of "Tea For Two," though his stride-oriented interpretation of the latter piece is at ... read more

Tracks:

1. You've Got to Be Modernistic [Johnson]
2. Sweet and Lovely [Arnheim/Tobias/Lema]
3. In August at St. Germain des Pres [Mazetier]
4. The Pearls [Morton]
5. Tea for Two [Caesar/Youmans]
6. Sweet Smile
7. Instinct of Conservation
8. Russian Greek
9. Surprises
10. Walking My Baby Back Home [Turk/Ahlert]
11. Anitra's Dance [Grieg]
12. Simply the Blues [Mazetier]
13. Tango Seville [Mazetier]
14. Just You, Just Me [Kluges/Greer]
15. I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plan [Dietz/Schwartz]
16. Sneakaway [Smith]
17. Portrait of a Portraitist [Mazetier]
18. Can't We Be Friends? [Warburg/Swift]
19. Skylark [Mercer/Carmichael]
20. Keep off the Grass [Johnson]
21. Francois [Mazetier]
22. Nostalgic Walk [Mazetier]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.