McCoy Tyner serves as one of the most commendable elder statesmen of Jazz. Yet, the legendary pianist played like he’s still got something to prove.

Peeling away the years just by touching the piano keys, Tyner was immediately relentless with guest saxophone Chris Potter brilliantly setting the intensity level even higher throughout the evening. The set was full of captivating mood swings.

A romantic tone ignited by renditions of Johnny Hartman’s collaboration with John Coltrane. Tyner took part in the original Impulse Records session and decided to revise it in honor of the label’s golden anniversary. Charming José James filled in for the late crooner, wisely avoiding mimicking Hartman but just slightly over stretching his range.

Impulse folded in the late 1970’s and exists today by name only, but Tyner is the kind of musician who, in his rich and uncompromising way, keeps its spirit alive.

– Gabi Tartakovsky