Crossing the Line

Contemporary jazz pianist/keyboardist John Polito uses his technical skills to fill his new listeners with a soothing array of contemporary jazz melodies, Latin dance rhythms, and a remarkable classical piano/cello duet with Ramiro Belgardt. Polito has written ten beautiful songs with values instilled from his technical, acoustic piano, and electronic keyboards excellence, and uses several instrumental formats to bring his creations to life. "Spanish Rain," "Aurora Alegre," "Walk in the Clouds," and "Safe Passage" feature Doug Lunn on bass, Martin Florez on drums and percussion, and Andy Abad on guitar. They adapt their personal sounds into Polito's musical expressions with seemingly effortless playing. The format of piano and cello is especially appealing on "Time and Space," "Union," and "Heaven Knows." "Union" is articulate, emotional, and resplendent with pensive reflections realized through acoustic piano melodies and string arrangements inherent in Polito's ability to fuse classical, rock, and new age sensibilities. The highlight of the program is "In Motion," a wonderful piece that features Charlie Bisharat's excellent violin solo against a backdrop of synthesized sounds that take the listener into imaginative sonorities pursuing their artistic goals. ~ Paula Edelstein