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Press and Reviews
L.A. Jazz Scene
September 1999
(Issue No. 145)
BILL KEIS
Journey
(Jammin’ Mug)
“Rambling electronic keyboard melodies and a snappy drum back beat give Bill Keis’s album a perky character. It’s the kind of contemporary jazz session that gets the most out of electric bass, keyboard, and drums.
“Although drummers Kendall Kay and Joel Taylor are limited for the most part to time-keeping, saxophonist Andy Suzuki is allowed ample time and space to express freely on tenor, soprano, and flute. Besides writing everything on the album, Keis plays a lyrical keyboard and piano.
“The pianist’s twelve song titles reveal quite a lot about the music by their descriptive nature. ‘San Dimas Senorita’ is an upbeat Latin affair, while ‘Savannah West Blues’ strolls slowly and deliberately with a vocal-like tenor saxophonist lead and ‘greasy’ organist support. ‘Seabreeze’ unites piano and flute in a New Adult Contemporary waltz; this one was used for an episode of the television series General Hospital. Keis offers tribute to his family and to jazz pianists Herbie Hancock & Chick Corea. For Hancock, ‘Mr. Hip’ is a real swinger, while the mood and aura of Corea’s ‘Spain’ show up in Keis’s composition ‘Pitter Patter.’ Finally, there’s a piece called ‘L.A.’ that is offered as a tribute to Los Angeles. The pianist’s composition includes a cocky ‘Seinfeld’ electric bass riff, son montuno piano, soulful tenor sax blues wailing, and closes with piano and saxophone trading fours (unlike the commonplace cellular phone conversation) face to face.”
—Jim Santella
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