For those unaware, Rick Roe won first place in the Great American Jazz Piano Competition in 1994, was twice a semifinalist in Thelonius Monk International Jazz Piano Competition, in 1993 and 1999, and has been a featured performer in the Jacksonville Jazz, Savannah Onstage International Arts, Montreaux/Detroit Jazz, Birmingham Jazz, Lansing Jazz, Flint Jazz, and Hawaii Jazz Festivals.

Roe has served as an educator/clinician at the University of Arizona, North Texas University, Michigan State University, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the University of Michigan, and the Montreaux/Detroit Jazz Festival.

So, as you can already tell, Roe is a very distinguished jazz pianist, composer and educator with over a dozen recordings to his name. His debut album, Monk’s Modern Music, is highly regarded in jazz circles. Robert Hurst, a Detroit native, is a celebrated bassist and composer with a career spanning over 30 years. A seven-time Grammy-award winner, Hurst has collaborated with icons such as Sir Paul McCartney, Wynton Marsalis and Diana Krall and is currently an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Michigan and has contributed to over 250 recordings and numerous film scores.

Nate Winn discovered his passion for drums at the age of four. Born and raised in Detroit, his versatile playing style is influenced by jazz, blues, R&B and gospel. Winn holds degrees from Wayne State University and Berklee College of Music and has performed with artists like Pat Metheny, Terence Blanchard and Kurt Whalum. He is also a professor of Jazz Drums as the University if Michigan.

Rick Roe’s latest release, Tribute: The Music of Gregg Hill, is a heartfelt homage to Lansing-based composer Gregg Hill, brought to life with a stellar trio featuring the aforementioned Hurst on bass and Winn on drums.

1. Elden’s Bop [3:17]
2. Ducks Night Out [5:49]
3. Mr. Pea [2:50]
4. Julie’s Tune [7:03]
5. Sunday Special [4:49]
6. Tribute [4:01]
7. Floating Candles [5:02]
8. Ballade [5:59]
9. Sharrie Sharrie [3:35]
10. Soul Element [4:26]
11. Summer Nights [4:11]
12. The Singer [3:34]

On an album that weaves together a series of twelve compelling tracks that explore the full spectrum of jazz expression, from lyrical ballads to dynamic, rhythm-driven pieces, the new recording opens on the melodious lilting waltz Elden’s Bop and the low slung balladry of Ducks Night Out, and then we get the joyfully spirited Mr. Pea, the languishing beauty of Julie’s Tune, the dutifully-sculpted Sunday Special, and then the ravishingly opulent title track Tribute is gifted to us.

Along next is the harmoniously layered Floating Candles and the luxuriantly-grooved Ballade, and they are in turn followed seamlessly by an engaging jaunt that drives Sharrie Sharrie, the elegant sophistication of Soul Element, the album rounding out on the simply beautiful Summer Nights, coming to a close on the impassioned upbeat swing of The Singer.

Musicians:
Robert Hurst - bass
Rick Roe - piano
Nate Winn - drums

Sharrie Sharrie from Rick Roe’s Tribute Album [Official Video]

Official Purchase Link