Norman Simmons - In Private (2004)

Veteran pianist Norman Simmons plays quite beautifully throughout this disc, with the emphasis generally being on slower tempos. Most exquisite are three unaccompanied piano solos ("It Could Happen to You," "How Am I to Know" and "Chopin Waltz") that show how complete a pianist Simmons has always been. His interplay with bassist Lisle Atkinson and drummer Paul Humphrey is excellent on the other selections, and the slower-than-usual interpretations of "Stella By Starlight" and "Caravan" work quite well, with the medium-tempo "Soft Winds" being a fine change-of-pace. Norman Simmons has long been underrated. In Private serves as an excellent introduction to his music.