Both as a composer and as a player, organist Joey DeFrancesco possesses a buoyant, moody sense of swing, a sensitive way with a ballad, and a naturally bluesy sensibility passed down from his saxophonist grandfather Joseph DeFrancesco, and his father, organist “Papa” John DeFrancesco. Jazz insiders also dig DeFrancesco’s work on trumpet, and the inspiration gleaned from his first big boss, Miles Davis – with whom Joey gigged while in his late teens. DeFrancesco’s much anticipated Jazz Standard return heralds a new Mack Avenue CD, In The Key Of The Universe, featuring the organist in the company of veteran drummer Billy Hart, whose many credits include stints with Wes Montgomery, McCoy Tyner, and Stan Getz; and rising–star saxophonist Troy Roberts, whose latest release as a leader, Secret Rhymes, “is con­firmation that redefinition of familiarity is entirely possible, and this will long be considered a new stand­ard for years to come.” (Greg Osby) Joey DeFrancesco – organ, trumpet, vocals Troy Roberts – tenor saxophone Billy Hart – drums