Pop music is probably the best example of a living embodiment of the expression "what have you done for me lately?" While a hit single may be able to secure you a recording contract, the proviso is that you are going to produce at least one, if not more, money makers for those signing the cheques. That's not only the prevailing business attitude, it also reflects how little weight is given to someone's previous musical experience. In spite of the fact that someone from a classical background will have developed a style and an approach to music that reflects her training, as will a person from a jazz background, nothing is usually done to take advantage of that and the person will be pretty much coerced into playing what's demanded to send a release up the charts.
Which is as good an explanation as you should require to understand why there is usually so much more creativity among independent performers than what you'll find among those assaulting the pop charts. One only needs look at the work performed and written by Jon Regen on his newest release, Let It Go, to see that difference in action. A graduate of the Mason Gross School of Arts at Rutgers University, Regen is one of only 2,000 piano players worldwide to hold the title of Steinway artist granted by the historic piano company in recognition of keyboard virtuosity. Up until 2001 he was touring with bassist Kyle Eastwood, only leaving his band to join up with Jimmy Scott for the next three years.
Even then he was showing promise as a solo performer and band leader as he released his first CD, Jon Regan Trio - Live At The Blue Note in 2000, and followed that up with his 2001 release Tel Aviv. While the first two albums stuck to instrumental jazz his third release, a seven-song EP called Almost Home in 2004, marked his first foray into singing and song writing and Let It Go is his first full length effort. Right from the opening chords rippling from the keys of his piano on the title track, "Let It Go", which opens the disc, you know you're about to experience something quite a bit different from what you'd expect from a piano playing pop singer.
Even without knowing anything about Jon's music, he wrote and asked if I would be willing to review the disc, my expectations were heightened based on the people who have elected to appear as guest performers with him. Andy Summers, of Police fame, and Jimmy Vivano, who plays with Willie Nile among others, are guest guitar players while Martha Wainwright supplies harmonies on the fourth track, "I Come Undone". They join bassist and producer Brad Albetta (Martha's husband/bass player/producer and another Willie Nile player) and drummer Bill Dobrow who form the other two parts of Jon's trio for this recording.
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