John Hicks - Beyond Expectations (Reservoir, 1993)

John Hicks, piano
Ray Drummond, bass
Marvin "Smitty" Smith, drums

Recorded September 1, 1993

Van Gelder Studio

Engineer: Rudy Van Gelder

I include John Hicks in my unofficial list of pianists who never play wrong notes. The best place to validate this claim is on his trio albums. On Beyond Expectations, Hicks assembled a sympathetic rhythm section to create an undisputed masterpiece, albeit one that might fly under the radar as a 1990s jazz CD with little hope of a vinyl release. 

The program consists of one original, "Expectations," and 9 jazz standards or show tunes. Each is developed at length, allowing Hicks to display his boundless imagination on even the most familiar material. For example, on Tom Jobim's bossa nova, "Once I Loved," Hicks improvises energetically while never neglecting the melody. I've never heard this song played this way before. Likewise, Cole Porter's "Every Time We Say Goodbye" includes a 6-minute piano solo that never becomes tiring or repetitive. Another highlight is the almost 10-minute version of Freddie Hubbard's "Up Jumped Spring."

Hicks ramps up the intensity for "There Is No Greater Love," which includes a rousing 90 seconds of trading fours with drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith. Smith lacks the reputation as a top five drummer in the 90s, depending on whose judging. He's certainly less present in my collection than, say, Jack DeJohnette, Billy Hart, or John Christensen. Listening to him on Beyond Expectations reveals an active, yet sensitive touch that adds character to the trio. His bossa beat on "Once I Loved" builds in intensity as Hicks' spectacular solo develops. 

Ray Drummond's contributions display his sonorous tone and deft fretwork throughout. He gets the assignment to play the melody on "There Is No Greater Love," and plays his other solos more like a horn player than a bassist.

As an aside, about 30 years ago I shared an elevator ride with Ray Drummond during the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival. I was in town for other reasons, but as I boarded the elevator in my hotel, there was Drummond standing in the back. I was too shy to say something stupid like "Hey, you're Ray Drummond," but I wish I had said something instead of pivoting and staring ahead awestruck. It may seem foolish, but I am truly humbled by the mere sight of artists whose music is the soundtrack of my life. 

For my review of a favorite Hicks album of the 1980s, go to:

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