Kevin Hays

Open Range

2006-06-02

Exquisite solo piano jazz numbers from accomplished composer Kevin Hays, who has played with jazz greats such as Sonny Rollins, John Scofield and Joshua Redman. There is one vocal number on the disc: a unique rendition of “You Are My Sunshine,” but performed in a way that completely remakes the song. Three other songs (#2, #4, #9) contain some Native American vocalizing in the background to go with the album’s theme. One other selection (“Harmonium”) finds Hays “dampening” the strings of the piano and plucking them from the inside of the instrument. This is reflective, quiet -- almost classical – music rather than your Friday-drive-home soundtrack.