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By ucombo, August 13, 2009 2:03 pm

American jazz pianist Lynne Arriale has captured the imaginations of jazz and mainstream music lovers with her outstanding CD and DVD recordings and  performances. She has been critically acclaimed as having a ‘singular voice’ as a pianist, leader, composer, arranger and for “putting the heart back into jazz” (London Times). Arriale’s consistently excellent recordings have topped every notable jazz chart. With back to back #1 Jazz Week radio hits, a #17 debut on Billboard’s Jazz Chart, the top ten “Best Of” lists for The New Yorker, United Press International and The German Record Critics Association, Arriale has earned her place among elite international jazz artists. Further evidence of her status includes her being featured on the PBS nationally televised program, Profile of a Recording Artist, and on multiple NPR programs including Weekend Edition, Jazz Set, and Piano Jazz with Marion McPartland.

Her new release album “Nuance” marks a pivotal turning point in distinctive career and launches her into the upper echelon of the jazz elite. As a pianist, leader, composer and arranger, she is without equal in her ability to convey a broad palette of emotional range, muscle, intimacy and depth in any format she chooses.  Arriale presented an extraordinary new lineup of iconic musicians who joined her on her new CD/DVD, “Nuance,” The Bennett Studio Sessions. In addition to Arriale as leader/composer/arranger, the remarkable band features jazz legend George Mraz on bass; Anthony Pinciotti on drums, whose work with James Moody and John Abercrombie has received high critical praise; and the great All-Star, Randy Brecker on trumpet / flugelhorn. The project was recorded at the multi-Grammy and Emmy Award winning BENNETT STUDIOS.

Arriale is without equal in her ability to convey a broad palette of emotional range, muscle, intimacy and depth in any format she chooses.  Breaking new ground with the adventurous Sting hit, Wrapped Around Your Finger, she establishes its gravitational center in the first four notes.  The melody, simply stated, is immediately recognizable.  But by the chorus, an explosion of power and dynamic intensity is palpable evidence of Arriale’s indelible style and artistic generosity with her new band mates, icons Randy Brecker (tr,flh), George Mraz (bass) and heralded newcomer, Anthony Pinciotti (dr).  Her prodigious leadership is revealed by the tune’s end, as she shapes the group dynamic from soaring virtuosity to the tune’s original core.  Playing with Randy, George and Anthony was a magical experience from the first note, because each musician was totally open to the organic flow of where the music needed to go, notes Lynne, “It’s all about reaching people.  That is ultimately why we play.”