Jack Wilkins Trio Art (Arabesque Recordings – 1998)

Although not as well known to the average public as some other modern jazz guitarists Wilkins is the guitar player that most of the current crop of jazz guitarsts today looked to for their inspiration and ideas when they were coming up. He is a true musician’s musician.
His technical skill is legendary but more important is his expressive ability which can at times rival the most sensitive players you can think of (musicians such as Bill Evans and Miles Davis to name a few). When you combine that with his explosive chops and a sense of passion that no other jazz guitarist I know of can touch you have the makings of one of the most important jazz guitarists of all time.
Trio Art is defintely to the softer more traditional side of Jack’s playing but I think it is one of his best recordings. His take on “Prelude To A Kiss” is, in my opinion, the definitive performace of this song. It is hard to think that this song will ever be played any better than this — by anyone.
I also particularly like his composition entitled “For Baden”. It’s seemingly simple melody and the lightly swinging pace overshadow the perfect sense of balance that make this composition so perfect and so complete.
His performance of the tune “Emily” goes to right to the heart of Wilkins expressive talents as he makes this tune sound almost “quaint”. It also shows another of Wilkins unusual talents for a jazz guitarist and that is that Jack plays almost as well in fingerstyle as he does with a pick!
From there this record just keeps going. There is not a dull moment on the entire recording. If you’ve never heard it you are in for a real treat. “It’s All Good!” Nothing but great music and great guitar playing by one of the all time great guitarists.

Tracklist:
1. How Deep Is the Ocean?
2. When Sunny Gets Blue
3. Very Early
4. Why Did I Choose You?
5. For Baden
6. Prelude to a Kiss
7. Emily
8. Trioart

Personnel:
Jack Wilkins (guitar)
Marc Puricelli (piano (4))
Steve LaSpina (bass)
Jeff Hirshfield (drums)

 Original Release Date: May 5, 1998  Label: Arabesque Recordings

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