Alan Broadbent Harvie S
JAZZ AROUND TOWN Oct. issue of the Los Angeles Jazz Scene 2025
by Scott Yanow
ALAN BROADBENT AND HARVIE S
Because he is a masterful accompanist (think of his classic duets with Irene Kral), a talented arranger, and a soft-spoken individual, it is possible to overlook just how brilliant a pianist Alan Broadbent is, at least until one sees him live. Ruth Price and the Jazz Bakery presented a duo performance by Broadbent and the equally talented bassist Harvie S at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica. It was immediately obvious that the pianist should be ranked as one of the giants.
Alan Broadbent has complete control over the piano, is tasteful and melodic yet peppers his statements with stunning double-time runs, and he really can dig into standards. Harvie S (who Broadbent first recorded with on a Sheila Jordan set back in 1991) played complementary ideas, often challenged the pianist as they improvised together, and swung hard when it was called for by the music.
Among the songs that the duo explored were “How Deep Is The Ocean,” “Alone Together,” the rarely-heard gem “What Is There To Say,” the bassist’s “No Sadness Today,” “All The Things You Are” (which began with some fairly free interplay), a few of Broadbent’s originals (“Carried On The Wind,” “Heart’s Desire,” and “First Try”), “Body And Soul,” “What Is This Thing Called Love,” and “East Of The Sun.” While there were hints of Dave Brubeck in spots and occasional passages that Lennie Tristano would have approved of, Broadbent has long had his own voice within the modern mainstream of jazz along with a strong musical curiosity that results in him consistently stretching himself.
