Kenny Kirkland
Piano Solo on
Choices

About

Kenny Kirkland follows Michael Brecker with one chorus of piano on "Choices" at approximately 187 BPM, responding to the tenor saxophonist's commanding two-chorus opening with a solo marked by rhythmic daring and harmonic sophistication. His improvisation over the 80-bar AAB form in C with a straight-eighth feel demonstrates the creative vision that made Kirkland one of the most respected pianists of his generation. As the second soloist on this Mike Stern composition, his single chorus brings a pianistic perspective to the performance, his harmonic choices and rhythmic inventiveness providing an effective contrast to Brecker's massive saxophone sound.

Kenny Kirkland was 31 to 32 years old at the time.