Improvisations (Ran Blake & Jaki Byard album)

Improvisations is an album of piano duets by the American jazz pianists Ran Blake and Jaki Byard, recorded in 1981 and released on the Italian Soul Note label.

Reception

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow stated: "Because Byard (who can play credibly in virtually every jazz style) is highly flexible, he was able to meet Blake on his own terms and inspire him to play more extrovertedly than usual... In other words, this matchup works".

Track listing

All compositions by Ran Blake & Jaki Byard except as indicated

1. "On Green Dolphin Street" (Bronislau Kaper, Ned Washington) - 6:06
2. "Prelude" - 4:09
3. "Chromatics" - 8:28
4. "Wende" (Ran Blake) - 3:42
5. "Tea for Two" (Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans) - 6:57
6. "Victoria" (Greg Silberman) - 4:41
7. "Sonata for Two Pianos" - 10:35

• Recorded at Barigozzi Studio in Milano, Italy on May 25 & 26, 1981

Personnel

• Jaki Byard – piano
• Ran Blake - piano

References