Notes From the Heart

If you're going to pay tribute to Keith Jarrett, it's probablya good idea not to do it with a piano. Even so, the idea of a guitar led trio tackling some of Jarrett's best known tunes might seem a bit odd to some.

But it works. Though Wakenius is best known for his work with Oscar Peterson,he's an eclectic player, influenced as much by John Mclaughlin as Grant Green.

Here he sticks to acoustic guitar, mostly playing with a country-tinged simplicity that's reminiscent of Pat Metheny's work with Charlie Haden. It's the ballads which come off best, and Wakenius gives Jarrett's melodies a clarity that's sometimes obscured in the original versions. Lovely.