Hard Swinging At Hobart’s

Piano is often the forgotten instrument of jazz.

It is so key to the small jazz ensemble that the first pianoless groups were considered revolutionary.

Even so, it is frequently written off as a bit player in a world of horns.

Hal Galper is one pianist who can remedy that. He’s a lyrical player who swings hard and infuses his music with a drama that doesn’t require horns for emphasis.

Stints with Chet Baker, Cannonball Adderly, John Scofield and the great Phil Woods place Galper well up in the bebop pantheon. He left Woods in 1990, following a brilliant 10-year run, to form a trio and sign with Concord Records.

The trio plays tonight and Saturday at 9 p.m. at Hobart’s Jazz Lounge. Admission is $13, tickets available at G&B outlets, Street Music and at the door.

, DataTimes