Ehud Asherie "Music Makes Me"

Music Makes Me; Ehud Asherie, piano

Somehow I missed this recording when it was released in 2014, but I'm delighted to have found it now. Ehud Asherie was born in 1979 in Israel, lived for years in Italy, and finally settled in New York. Along that unusual path he discovered the riches of the early twentieth century. Much of it is the neglected works of Eubie Blake, James P. Johnson, Fats Waller and other 1920's and '30's heroes. With bassist Neal Miner and drummer Phil Stewart, that's the music of choice for Asherie, and that's what he features here. A few personal favorites are "By Strauss", an overlooked work of the Gershwins; Rodgers and Hart's "A Ship Without A Sail"; and Blake's spirited "Banana Days". The trick here is that Asherie brings these charmers up to date. At no time do they sound like relics from the "good ol' days". Keep an eye on Ehud. He may specialize in past treasures, but he's as current as the newest smart phone.

Gut String Records; 2014; 42 min.