An Album a Day #2026-19

There are few things more exciting to me than finding a new pianist to admire. Wajdi Riahi is my new Keith Jarrett. Anyone familiar with Jarrett will know what a distinguished honor that is.

Seriously, the closest thing I can compare the Wajdi Riaji trio to is the classic Keith Jarrett, Jack DeJohnette, and Gary Peacock trio. But this isn't a cheap imitation, or even a decent facsimile. It's a beautiful homage that pays its tributes while adding something new to the conversation.

The first track on Zbonprés Sessions, "Lella Fatima," is a fast-paced, rollicking romp with blistering piano licks over complex-yet-danceable rhythms. This isn't background music. It demands attention. It hi-jacks your excitement. It's sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat music.

After walloping us, the trio slows it down on "Adèle" and treats us to a Beethoven-meets-Debussy-meets-Riahi ballad. The melody is carried at first by a beautiful contrabass solo before being taken over by Riahi's zig-zagging and winding piano.

On "Inel Blues," we get a little late-night jazz with an eastern tint. We hear, perhaps, some influence from Riahi's Tunisian upbringing. The song starts with some sparks and introspective interplay between piano and drums before building into a wonderfully unusual and jagged theme doubled on bass and piano.

Things pick back up again on "Mhamdeya." The trio brings us back into a groove. Is that a little Monk, I hear? I do like me some Monk in my Jarrett. If this doesn’t get your head bobbing, you might not have a soul. That's all I'm saying.

The trio wraps things up for us with an alternate take of Adèle, making this a true late night album.

If this record were alcohol, it'd be a fine scotch.

Listen

What is "An Album a Day"?

Each day in 2026, I'm listening to an album that:

1. I've never heard before
2. Was released in the last six months (from the time of listening)