Hanson, Dave - Blues Sky CD

After decades as an in-demand composer/arranger, and a co-leader of Denver’s acclaimed H2 Big Band, pianist Dave Hanson took his 2024 week-long Artist in Residence at Denver’s Dazzle Jazz club to put focus on his piano playing and his small group arranging, resulting in this debut quartet recording. With saxophonist Wil Swindler, bassist Mark Simon, and drummer Paul Romaine, Hanson pays tribute to a melting pot of towering American music innovators through this set of ten wide-ranging originals. Through the brightly swinging “Two Masters” for Bill Evans & Chick Corea, to the shuffle of “Blues Sky” for Jimi Hendrix, and the boogaloo refrain of “Dylan Dream” for Bob Dylan, Hanson’s band is dynamic and inspired.