Ahmad Jamal: Poinciana (1958)

Written by Nat Simon and Buddy Bernier, Poinciana ranks among the loveliest upbeat numbers in the jazz canon. Pianist Ahmad Jamal popularized it, and it is perfect for Jamals spare, pensive style. It appears midway through the first disc of the two-CD set Cross Country Tour, but it actually closed his first set at the Pershing Lounge in Chicago and surely sent the crowd floating out of the room. All three musicians give the tune plenty of bounce and plenty of space. Vernel Fournier barely taps the drums, and Israel Crosby skips down the neck of the bass like a child running home from school. Jamal, for his part, gently massages the keys, drawing prettiness out. Just when you think hes going to conclude a thought, he doesnt, and his reticence makes it all the lovelier.