01. Three Little Words
02. Solar
03. You’re My Thrill
04. Steeplechase
05. The Little Things That Mean So Much
06. Monk’s Dream
07. Limehouse Blues
08. Star Crossed Lovers
09. Blues In My Heart
10. The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
11. Samburan
12. There Is No Greater Love

Dick Katz (piano)
Steve LaSpina (bass)
Ben Riley (drums)

Recording Date: March 26, 1992 - August 19, 1992.

Dick Katz had a long career in jazz, though a relatively small discography as a leader. These 1992 sessions for Reservoir represent the next to last CD that he made under his own name, with the pianist joined by two veterans, bassist Steve LaSpina and drummer Ben Riley. While Katz has considerable chops, he is not an overly busy pianist on these selections, giving the music plenty of breathing space and room for the input of his sidemen. His breezy take of Miles Davis' "Solar" is a playful affair, while the trio is in jaunty spirits throughout Charlie Parker's "Steeplechase," an imaginative reworking of "I Got Rhythm." There are also plenty of standards, including an intricate study of "There Is No Greater Love" that swings like mad, while his creative take of the old warhorse "Limehouse Blues" incorporates a bit of Claude Debussy's impressionism. It's always great when a leader takes the time to put the spotlight on a contemporary's composition that isn't well-known. His adaptation of pianist/vocalist Daryl Sherman's "Samburan" is a sauntering affair that makes it seem like a perfect soundtrack for a detective show. Sadly, Dick Katz only made one more recording for Reservoir prior to his death in 2009, while this outing is easily one of his best. ---Ken Dryden, AllMusic Review

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1.There Will Never Be Another You (2:10)
2.Pet (1:59)
3.Mirage (2:07)
4.Making Whoopee (2:27)
5.Anitra's Dance (2:11)
6.I'm Beginning To See The Light (2:03)
7.The Jitterbug Waltz (2:39)
8.Dick's Boogie (2:24)
9.Morning Glory (2:19)
10.Lover (2:21)

Musicians:
Dick Katz-piano
Judd Proctor-guitar
Peter McGurk-bass
Harry Brown-drums

A rare quartet outing for pianist Dick Katz recorded in London in 1958. I think that this might well have been Dick's only jazz album under his own name.

There is another pianist called Dick Katz but he is American and not to be confused with the British version here (actually German born in 1916 but moved to the UK before the start of WW2). Dick played with the Vic Lewis Orchestra during the early 1940s and later became a long serving member of various Ray Ellington groups before becoming involved in the management side of the music business. He was married to singer Valerie Masters and died in London in 1981.

He is heard here with an interesting group including session guitarist Judd Proctor, a most under-rated musician, and Peter McGurk who was later to become Dudley Moore's long serving bassman in his jazz trio from 1960-1968. Peter committed suicide in 1968 by taking an overdose of drugs. He was only 41. ---britjazz.blogspot.com

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