Cedar Walton - As Long As There's Music (1993)

Master hard bop pianist Cedar Walton is joined here by his regular rhythm mates, bassist David Williams and drummer Billy Higgins. Sharing the front line are trumpeter Terence Blanchard and alto saxophonist Jesse Davis, both of whom were fairly new to the scene at this point. While the playing on the album is excellent, the production lacks the warmth of some of Walton's earlier sessions. Davis's horn is drenched in reverb and Williams' bass has sounded fatter and fuller. Still, Blanchard's muted solo on Thelonious Monk's "Pannonica" is a pleasure, and Walton's piano dazzles.