Serendipity

by Scott YanowThis is a mostly straight-ahead set featuring Mike Garson's piano in a variety of settings. He takes "I Should Care" and "My Romance" unaccompanied; duets with the brilliant flutist Jim Walker (his musical partner in Free Flight) on "My One and Only Love"; plays three songs in a trio with bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Billy Mintz; and leads a quintet comprised of guitarist Peter Sprague, bassist Jim Lacefield, drummer Mintz, and either altoist Gary Herbig or flutist Walker through three of his tricky but likable originals. An excellent all-around set, one of Mike Garson's best.