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Mighty Quinn Productions MQP1109. www.

mighty-quinn.net. Pussy Wiggle Stomp; Possibilities;

Homeless; Invincible; Simple Samba; Requiem For A

Friendship; Indian Lady; Blues In Elf; Moondrops;

Simple Samba (alternate take); Pavane For A True

Musical Prince; Rain Forest; Sugar’s Lullaby.

 

 

 

The concept of Bulgarian pianist Milcho Leviev’s solo piano tribute to Don Ellis, Multiple Personalities- Milcho Leviev Plays the Music of Don Ellis, was as its title suggests to feature many sides of the late trumpeter/big band leader’s musical universe. Initially intended by producer Nick Di Scala as a spotlight for Ellis material never released or recorded, the program was expanded to include a few familiar titles from the Ellis songbook.

Leviev has an impressive resume that boasts playing experiences with jazz giants such as Art Pepper, Roy Haynes, Charlie Haden and Ray Brown. It was the seven years playing with Ellis in the early to mid seventies, however, that got Leviev started and allowed him to make a name for himself. Possessed with solid technique that enables him to express his fertile ideas, Leviev’s playing throughout Multiple Personalities brings life and feeling to the variety of moods presented. On Multiple Personalities Leviev’s playing ranges from the rolling barrelhouse exuberance of the opening track “Pussy Wiggle Stomp” to the more pensive excursions of the two entirely composed classical pieces that close the recording, “Rain Forest” and “Sugar’s Lullaby.” In between he proves his ability to tell thoughtful stories with shift ing moods within a single piece on tracks such as “Possibilities” and “Homeless.” The playful side of Ellis and Leviev is revealed on the two versions of “Simple Samba.” On “Blues in Elf,” Leviev evokes an authentic blues feeling with an added sense of drama. “Requiem for a Friendship” is an intimate performance of an Ellis composition written for Leviev. The disc includes one Leviev original, his tribute to Ellis “Pavane for a True Musical Prince.” The piece evokes a pensive mood relying heavily on the lower end of the piano.

In some respects, when one musician plays the music of another musician, a possible side effect on the listener may be to generate interest in the honoree’s music. Ellis is primarily known as a big band leader, and some of these pieces may be hard to imagine played by a larger ensemble. According to the liner notes, however, some of these pieces were intended for solo piano performance. Whatever the intent of the original compositions, Multiple Personalities - Milcho Leviev Plays the Music of Don Ellis stands on its own as a fine solo piano performance and a fitting tribute by Leviev to his musical hero. For the uninitiated to Ellis’ music, it is also an intriguing sampling of the breadth of his musical personality. There are increased rewards over repeated listens.