Dick Sisto: Falling In Love

Rating: ★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Tom Rainey
Drew Gress
Dick Sisto (vb)
Fred Hersch (p)

Label:

SteepleChase

July/2023

Media Format:

CD

Catalogue Number:

SCCD 31944

RecordDate:

Rec. October 1994

Vibist Sisto, a new name to me – but quite an old hand apparently – grew up in Chicago and then moved to California before settling in Louisville where he teaches at the University. He has a limited discography, but a copious CV as an educator, author, and broadcaster. He previously toured over here several times with the late drummer Martin Drew.

Like many a vibes-man, he also plays piano and drums but it's the vibes that he prioritises here. Aside from one original, Sisto's choices range from standards like the album's title track and familiar pieces by jazz greats like Rollins’ ‘Doxy’ and ‘Moment's Notice’ by Coltrane. Given that he has such capable jazzmen as Hersch, Gress and Rainey alongside him, it's no surprise that these 11 performances turn out to be pretty classy, Sisto's Jackson-like finesse and keen-eyed solo variations aptly complemented by those of his sidemen. As expected, Hersch punches his weight throughout, involved, and inventive, while Rainey is the archetype post-bopper, happy to punctuate and drop bombs at will. ‘Doxy’ is his moment, as he batters through a couple of solo choruses. I liked Tom Harrell's ‘Little Dancer,’ a waltz given a pretty treatment, but with a rousing finish, much like ‘If I Should Love You,’ this a very spirited run-though, Hersch quite boppish before a touching version of Bernstein's eloquent ‘Some Other Time’, completes an above-average release. How come it's taken nearly 30 years for it to appear? No explanation is offered, but it's good to have it now.

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