Geri Allen: Grand River Crossings: Motown & Motor City Inspirations

Pianist Geri Allen completes a trilogy of solo albums for fertile independent label Motéma with a somewhat shy tribute to the music of her home town. The Grand River of the title is Detroit's main street, and crossing it as a child was a rite of passage for the pianist. Here she clings to the safety of the sidewalk, turning songs from Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye into quiet, introverted meditations. Her mentor, veteran Ray Charles Band trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, offers soulful advice on three tracks, and saxophonist David McMurray also contributes. But the real interest on Grand River Crossings is in hearing player of the calibre and creativity of Allen jamming quietly on some of the tunes which formed her musical mind. motema.com