George Shearing & Ernestine Anderson - Dexterity (Live At Kan-i Hoken Hall, Tokyo, Japan / November 1987) (1988/2022)

For his first tour of Japan in 24 years, pianist George Shearing worked for the initial time with bassist Neil Swainson who soon afterward became a regular member of his duo. This Concord CD features Shearing and Swainson performing a variety of material including Charlie Parker's "Dexterity," "You Must Believe in Spring," a traditional Japanese melody and a couple of ballads. In addition, singer Ernestine Anderson sits in with the group on "As Long As I Live" and a typically soulful "Please Send Me Someone to Love" before the duo concludes the show (recorded at the second annual Fujitsu-Concord Jazz Festival) with a five-song Duke Ellington medley. A well-rounded and consistently enjoyable program.