Paul Potyen: Mountain Standards Time (2003)

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

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Published: June 25, 2003

Paul Potyen is not exactly a household name. Or is he? As a keyboard player, he has performed with Chet Baker, Tony Williams, Mark Murphy, the Headhunters, Bobby McFerrin, Jimmy Witherspoon, Tom Harrell, Terry Bozzio, Mark Isham, Mel Torme, Henry Mancini, Ray Drummond, Mike Formanek, and Chris Connor. Mr. Potyen has lead his own progressive Latin band, Cañoneo, and is the featured pianist with the Bay Area latin/jazz band Soul Sauce.

Having established such credentials, Mr. Potyen has turned his attention to solo piano, skipping through the American Songbook as if he owned it. The results are engaging and entertaining. This disc is perfect to put on and simply enjoy, as the pianist does not shoot off any fireworks. The interpretations are straight-ahead. Potyen opens the disc with a slightly Bossa "You’d Be So Nice to come Home To," where is rhythm figure almost takes precidence over the melody. His Gershwin ("Someone to Watch over Me" and "Our Love is Here to Stay") is thoughtful and reverent without being boring.

I recommend this disc to anyone who appreciates uncomplicated solo jazz piano.

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Track Listing: You

Personnel: Paul Potyen

Record Label: Guacamole Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream