Jazz Times reviews

Pianist and Jazzheads founder Randy Klein engages in a series of intimate duets with either trombonist Chris Washburne or tenor saxophonist Oleg Kireyev. Pieces like the buoyantly conversational “Hiding Out” and “Doo Boo Bop” demonstrate how Washburne deftly shifts roles from melodist to contrapuntal foil to accompanist.

Kireyev reveals a rich, Ben Webster-ish tone and “Truly Yours” (based on a motif from Bizet’s Carmen). A strong improviser, Kireyev wails in a boppish vein on the frisky “I’ve Got an Itch” and “Lottery Day”, while Washburne delivers golden tones and uncommon lyricism on the affecting ballads “Petis Pois” and “Her Beautiful Soul”. This winning collaboration is the first in Klein’s “Two Duos” series.