Kansas City, June 2005

Piano player Billy Stritch highlighted an evening at Jardine's with a mixture of standards and Brazilian music. Backed by bassist Gerald Spaits and drummer Ray DeMarchi, the group sizzled through a set that included a medley of "Night and Day" and “One Note Samba." Spaits and DeMarchi got to solo on "Days of Wine and Roses,” while the trio went at high speed on "Mountain Greenery." On "The Best Is Yet to Come,” Broadway veteran Stritch "out Conicked" Harry as he closed the set with a bang. This is a major talent who should not be missed the next time around.

— Don Merker