Kurt Rosenwinkel_-_East Coast Love Affair (1996)

This little-known gem captures Rosenwinkel live at Smalls, the famous New York jazz club, with Avishai Cohen on bass and Jorge Rossy on drums. Rosenwinkel's guitar style is distinctive and highly developed at this stage. Only two originals appear – "East Coast Love Affair" and "B Blues" – and both are mesmerizing, though quite similar in tempo and mood. The remainder of the program consists of standards and jazz classics, all interpreted with gusto and originality. Rosenwinkel's chordal mastery is especially evident on the two Thelonious Monk selections, "Pannonica" and "'Round Midnight." His Latin reading of "All or Nothing at All", like Mark Turner's version on Ballad Session, takes its cue from Coltrane's 1961 version. It's quite a shame that East Coast Love Affair is so hard to find, for the album showcases some of Rosenwinkel's finest playing. ~

1. East Coast Love Affair
2. All or Nothing at All
3. Turn Out the Stars
4. Pannonica
5. Lazy Bird
6. 'Round About Midnight
7. Little White Lies
8. B Blues

Kurt Rosenwinkel Guitar, Main Performer
Jorge Rossy Drums
Avishai Cohen Bass