John Gamba
This album took its title from a club in West Orange, N.J., called Counterpoint. The club was owned by pianist John Gamba, making him one of the few jazz musicians to become a club owner.
A skilled technician, the pianist managed to infuse his performances with a good deal of unexpected fire. Indeed, there were moments on "Words," "Yesterdays," and "Leaves" that sharply suggested the legendary Eddie Costa. Gamba had the strong percussive approach to his instrument that was a hallmark of Costa and displayed a similar concept of time.
Don Cinderella kept tightly in the rhythm section and proved to be a sensitive and imaginative soloist of some measure in "Leaves," "Things," and "Words." Paul Motian, Bill Evans' drummer for the previous three years, made his presence decidedly felt in the group's sound, and his secondary playing was very sensitive and musical, adding color and depth to...
