Luxury Experience - Marian Petrescu Quartet Thrivin' Live at the Jazz Standard, New York

Marian Petrescu Quartet with Andreas Oberg - Thrivin' Live at the Jazz Standard, New York

The release Marian Petrescu Quartet with Andreas Öberg - Thrivin' Live at the Jazz Standard is one of those unique live recordings where all the stars were aligned and magic happened. It was an evening of anticipation and excitement; and after the opening track Cakewalk, there was awe from the audience.

Thrivin': Cakewalk; My Romance; Blue in Green; Blues in Etude; On The Trail; Yours Is My Heart Alone; Indiana

Personnel: Marian Petrescu: Piano; Andreas Öberg: Guitar, Voice (My Romance); David Finck: Bass; Mark McLean: Drums

Romanian-born pianist Marian Petrescu made his first trip to New York in June 2009 ready to work his magic on a discerning jazz audience at the club Jazz Standard. It was an enchanted evening that resulted in the recording of Marian Petrescu Quartet with Andreas Öberg - Thrivin' Live at the Jazz Standard, which was produced by George Klabin and released on the Resonance Records label.

Ms. Debra C. Argen and I had the unique opportunity to be a part of the audience that evening and the magical spell that he cast still lingers as we now listen to Thrivin'. Marian's charm resonates through not only his fingers, but also when he speaks about his passion for music, jazz, and his influence, Oscar Peterson. He spoke about feeling small amongst the many tall buildings of New York, and how he was honored to be playing at Jazz Standard for such an enthusiastic jazz audience, but once he sat at his instrument, he shed his humble persona and became as tall as any building in New York. In addition to Thrivin' please listen to the Grammy-Award Winning release Resonance Big Band Plays Tribute to Oscar Peterson featuring pianist Marian Petrescu, and read a review in the Music Scene section (Resonance Big Band Plays Tribute to Oscar Peterson).

Marian opened the evening and the resulting album with the classic Oscar Peterson track Cakewalk, and he lit up the stage with his smile and musical prowess, as well as his command of the piano. Showing the audience that he was not there to replicate the late Oscar Peterson, Marian put his mark on the sound and style that was created by Oscar. The arrangement was straight ahead jazz with sections of bebop complemented by a tight rhythm section producing a fresh take on this classic track.

After introducing himself to the audience, Marian changed pace with the track My Romance and showed his lighter side as he tickled the ivories with a deft touch and feeling that complemented the scat and brilliant guitar work of Andreas Öberg. The cover of Blue in Green is a romantic arrangement that Marian handled with precision and style while changing tempo seamlessly in sync with Andrea's guitar work and the soft sultry brush strokes of Mark McLean's drums.

The track Blues Etude, another classic Oscar Peterson song, was covered with feeling and emotion that is the soul of this song. This is not a technical song, it is a song of passion, and Marian's arrangement is every bit about the music with beautiful guitar and piano solos that do not overwhelm, but tug at the heartstrings. Melding classical touches with jazz is the track On the Trail with an arrangement that seems to spread out in all directions, but the band remained tight and centered on the exquisite piano work.

The release closes with the tracks Yours Is My Heart Alone, a fiery arrangement that has the band swinging and swaying, and a piano solo cover of Indiana that had as many highs as lows taking the audience on a musical journey that left them breathless and wanting more. This was Marian's initial foray to the United States and New York and he embarked upon this journey as he does when he plays the piano, with passion, fortitude, and resolve.