Tamir Hendelman makes his recording debut as a leader with Playground, though he has burnished his credentials over a several-year period leading up to it, including work with drummer Jeff Hamilton's trio, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and vocalist Roberta Gambarini. Hamilton and bassist John Clayton make up his experienced rhythm section on trio session, while Hendelman's knack for finding swinging new approaches to familiar songs is quickly apparent with his robust interpretation of Herbie Hancock's Driftin' and driving Oscar Peterson-flavored setting of the standard I'm Old Fashioned. The pianist's light touch in his breezy rendition of Horace Silver's The Cape Verdean Blues and lumbering, bluesy take of Duke Ellington's Do Nothin' Til You Hear from Me show his surprising maturity. Hendelman's originals are equally persuasive. His swirling, hypnotic Tiger's Lair, the touching lyricism of Sycamore, and the hip groove of Playground (with Clayton providing a rock-solid, swinging bassline in the style of Ray Brown) have the potential to become jazz standards. Tamir Hendelman and his veteran rhythm section shine throughout this rewarding release. ~ Ken Dryden, Rovi

1		Driftin'
2		I'm Old Fashioned
3		Playground
4		Sycamore
5		Tiger's Lair
6		It's Only a Paper Moon
7		It Never Entered My Mind
8		Do Nothin' Til You Hear from Me
9		Spring Action
10		Singin' in the Rain
11		I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
12		The Cape Verdean Blues
13		Almost Summer