| The Big Push | |
| Type: | Studio |
| Artist: | Larry Willis |
| Cover: | The Big Push.jpg |
| Released: | January 31, 2006 |
| Recorded: | May 9, 2005 |
| Studio: | Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ |
| Genre: | Jazz |
| Length: | 52:49 |
| Label: | HighNote HCD 7144 |
| Producer: | Don Sickler |
| Chronology: | Larry Willis |
| Prev Title: | The Powers of Two |
| Prev Year: | 2004 |
| Next Title: | Blue Fable |
| Next Year: | 2007 |
The Big Push is an album by pianist Larry Willis which was recorded in 2005 and released on the Highnote label early the following year.[1] [2]
The review by Allmusic's Scott Yanow said: "Long a greatly in-demand sideman, pianist Larry Willis excels during this opportunity to lead his own trio. ... The interpretations are lyrical, quietly emotional, harmonically sophisticated, and full of subtle surprises. This is the type of jazz recording that grows in interest with each listen, for there is a great deal happening just beneath the surface. Recommended". All About Jazz' Michael P. Gladstone observed "In choosing a trio for The Big Push, Willis selected drummer Al Foster, his old student partner from the High School of Music & Art in Manhattan, and the in-demand bassist Buster Williams. The tunes are a combination of a few sturdy standards, two originals and jazz standards.,,, Buster Williams steps in frequently to provide fine support for Willis, notably on the ballads and mid-tempo tracks; Al Foster supplies just the right touch for the cookers as well as the tastefulness needed on the ballads".[3] JazzTimes' Thomas Conrad noted "This is a classy recital, made even more fun by Van Gelder’s clean, full-bandwidth sound".[4] The 2008 edition of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings described it as one of the best piano trio albums of recent years.
All compositions by Larry Willis except where noted