Blackman, Murray, Russo

Alan Blackman- Piano
Max Murray- Bass
Frank Russo- Drums

Quotes from CD Baby and All About Jazz reviews:
Blackman, Murray, Russo have put out fresh modern jazz recordings. They mix original material from the pianist and the rest a unique mix of Beatles,Brahms, and odd-metered renditions of standards. Staples around the thriving Baltimore/Washington D.C. jazz scene for 20 years, Blackman Murray Russo trio has captured a delightfully fresh and well-executed musical product. Alan Blackmans originals occupy almost half of the musical ground here, and they are varied in scope and interesting from both a rhythmic and harmonic vantage point. From the almost middle eastern sounds of a Brahms Waltz through groovy standards (with some nice new chords) to a 9/4 fender rhodes inflected tour de force on You’ve Changed, this band is tight and the solos are at a very accomplished and individual level. Highly recommended if you are tired of boring smooth jazz and bored with tired traditional swing.The trio is fueled not only by their individual skills but the chemistry that exists within them as a unit. On their version of Peter Gabriel’s 1986 smash “Sledgehammer,” the group jams in breathtaking fashion. Blackman’s jumpy piano, Murray’s thumping bass, and Russo’s jumpy drums perhaps raise even more R&B intensity than Gabriel’s original. The band is having so much fun covering the Gabriel hit that its inclusion doesn’t feel like it was for commercial considerations; in fact, it’s an accessible way of displaying their collective strengths.These lads must kill it in live performance.