{|An Evening with Dave Grusin|} is essentially the soundtrack to the Blu-Ray DVD product, and an app for the iPad, both of which have loads more features. The composer, arranger, and pianist conducts the 75-piece {|Henry Mancini Orchestra|} in a live... Read more

{|An Evening with Dave Grusin|} is essentially the soundtrack to the Blu-Ray DVD product, and an app for the iPad, both of which have loads more features. The composer, arranger, and pianist conducts the 75-piece {|Henry Mancini Orchestra|} in a live program of his own music -- tunes written for cinema -- as well as the works of composers {|Gershwin|}, {|Bernstein|}, and {|Mancini|}. The show was co-produced by {|Grusin|}'s longstanding business associate and collaborator {|Larry Rosen|} and {|Phil Ramone|}. The personnel includes guest appearances by vocalists {|Patti Austin|}, {|Jon Secada|}, and {|Monica Mancini|}, and instrumentalists {|Gary Burton|}, {|Arturo Sandoval|}, {|Nestor Torres|}, and {|Sammy Figueroa|}. Ultimately it's the music that matters and {|Grusin|} is in fine form, playing piano and conducting this orchestra. A dramatic version of his {|Fratelli Chase|} (from the score of the film {|Goonies|}) opens the set and is quickly followed by a romantic, nostalgic version of the theme from {|On Golden Pond|}, juxtaposed quite jarringly in a medley with his {|New Hampshite Hornpipe.|} {|Austin|} appears on {|Makin' Whoopee|} (which he didn't write but which appeared in {|The Fabulous Baker Boys|}, a film he scored. The program moves on with the tribute section of the evening as {|Grusin|} and orchestra perform a medley from {|Gershwin|}'s Porgy & Bess, followed by a selection of {|Bernstein|}/{|Stephen Sondheim|} tunes from {|West Side Story|}. {|Burton|}'s vibes appear on {|Cool,|} and {|Secada|} and {|Austin|} duet on {|Somewhere.|} {|Somewhere|} throws a curve here conducting and playing piano in the lengthy, near-12-minute {|Suite|} from the film {|The Milagro Beanfield War|}, before returning to {|West Side Story|} with {|I Feel Pretty,|} containing a lovely flute solo by {|Torres|}. {|Mancini|} gets the final tribute with {|Monica|} singing a delightful {|Moon River|}; {|Burton|} returns to solo on the {|Peter Gunn Theme.|} The entire show closes on an uptempo note with {|Memphis Stomp,|} from the {|Grusin|}-scored film, {|The Firm|}. Fans of the artist will take great delight in the program, which stands on its own apart form the Blu-Ray and iPad app. Just over an hour in length, it is near perfectly sequenced, and filled with not only nostalgia but evidence of {|Grusin|}'s musical sophistication, as well as his accessibility and lasting appeal. ~ Thom Jurek Less