Tisziji Muñoz & Paul Shaffer – Taking You Out There! Live

Featuring Tisziji Munoz on guitar & compositions, Paul Shaffer on piano, Don Pate & John Lockwood on acoustic basses and Rakalam Bob Moses on drums. Dizzy's Club at Lincoln Center is a lovely room with a fine view of Central Park behind the band. I have only been there a few times since it is a bit expensive and rarely has the type of jazz I really enjoy (ie: too mainstream). My friend and inspiration, Tisziji Munoz, invited me to check out his band a few years ago and I was delighted hear some spiritual jazz in a room that rarely has that type of music. Longtime keyboard player for the David Letterman Show, Paul Shaffer, was the one who helped get the gig, so special thanks to him for that opportunity. Although the music here is a bit more restrained than the usual Munoz fireworks, it is still spirit jazz with that special Coltrane influence. Most or all of the songs were written by Tisziji and it shows how much of gifted songwriter he is: beautiful, heartfelt melodies most of the time. Mr. Shaffer, who rarely gets recognition as a great keyboard player, plays exclusively piano here and is the perfect choice for this music. Shaffer's playing is superb throughout, obviously inspired by Munoz delectable melodies and occasionally restrained yet still cosmic guitar playing. The rhythm team here of Don Pate (Munoz' regular bassist), John Lockwood (bassist for the Fringe & Joe Maneri) and drummer Rakalam Moses (a world-class musician & teacher), are also superb throughout both sets, spinning a fine web of rhythms, pulses and incredible interaction underneath. If you haven't heard the amazing Tisziji Munoz yet, this would be a perfect place to start. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG