Heavens of a Hundred Days

Album Review

Award-winning Canadian pianist John Stetch leads a quartet comprised of tenor saxophonist Bill McHenry, bassist Ben Street, and the dynamic drummer Jeff Ballard on his second release for Justin Time Records entitled Heavens of a Hundred Days. Their grace, stylistic sensitivity, and rhythmic nuance pervade the senses on ten excellent compositions that alternate between the melodic, emotional piano and saxophone stylings of the title track to the up-tempo rhythms on "Rondeau." With sax lines matching note for note with Stetch's piano and Ballard's drums, the amazing interplay of the quartet will hold any jazz lover's attention. The fluid quartet performs a great interpretation of "Autumn in New York," providing vivid, imaginative music for the autumnal imagery with quiet tone colors. The pianist displays evolved compositional integrity and musical growth since his highly acclaimed release in 1998, Green Grove, and with these excellent musical ideas moves forward within the ranks of piano playing composers such as fellow Canadian pianists David Berkman and D.D. Jackson.