REVIEWS ON RELEASE (May 18, 2010)

"[ 4 STARS—Highest Rating] …In 2010 Zeitlin is as voluptuously a part of the piano as any pianist in jazz, which means that now, at 72, he is one of a handful of greatest living jazz pianists, absolutely on the same level, I think, as Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock… As a result, this live January 2008 recital in Santa Barbara’s Ralston Hall is something of a godsend. There is, at this stage, no such thing as a new Zeitlin disc that is anything short of precious… He doesn’t just improvise on “tunes,” he creates small epics around them… An amazing solo piano performance…"
      Jeff Simon, New York, The Buffalo News

"Denny Zeitlin's career as one of the greatest but woefully under-appreciated modern jazz pianists, may have taken a turn with the release of his early period Mosaic/Columbia trio reissue studio sessions, and several fine recordings for the Sunnyside label. This solo concert done at the Ralston House in Santa Barbara, CA recalls older standard favorites of Zeitlin's and adds on some of his beautifully conceived originals, exuding a spirit that suggests both renewal and determination of continuance. As a diversified modernist, Zeitlin is as easily capable of playing beautifully as he is of ripping up be-bop, but it is his advanced harmonic sense that sets him above and beyond most others. He's also capable of modal music, interpretations of show tunes, funky underpinnings, or introspective sounds that reflect his influences -- Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, and Thelonious Monk. Perhaps originals like the playful, active "On the March" gives you more an indication of how ultra-melodic a performer Zeitlin can be, but when you hear the rhapsodic, romantic "The We of Us" there are more layers to reveal. Always a champion of jazz giants, Zeitlin tears the speedy Sonny Rollins bop standard "Oleo" as if child's play, and uses soul-stirring, cascading harmonics during Wayne Shorter's lesser-known "Deluge." Whether in tricky time signature, loving discourse of lyrical proportions, or the occasional angular flight of fancy, Denny Zeitlin's expertise shines through familiar music and the spontaneously derived jazz that marks him a true master of the idiom, time after time"
      Michael G. Nastos, allmusicguide.com

"...Listen to the poetry, the grace and tender soul. Listen to the humanity, its frailties and triumph. Only a true troubadour of life can impart such authority and character of pianistic language. This recording from California's Ralston Hall in January of 2008 is not one of self indulgence. No. Zeitlin, ever the master, enthralls, capturing the sonic essence of standards, 'Out Of My Dreams' and Sonny Rollins 'Oleo' Who'd else dare tackle 'Oleo'? Barry Harris maybe, in a bebop sensibility. Zeitlin strips the tune bare, knuckle kneading riskier twists and turns. Then too he's selected a slightly off kilter program of Wayne Shorter's 'Deluge' and his own pieces such as the reflective and haunting,'The We of Us'. Quoting from the CD liners, Zeitlin cites the "hall's fine acoustics, a superb instrument and a rapt audience." Making this a memorable date more than worthy of attention."
      L.A. Emenari, III  ejazznews.com