Cedar Walton - The Maestro with special guest Abbey Lincoln

Following an extensive international tour, Cedar Walton and his quartet entered the studio in December 1980 at the height of their collective powers. The Maestro captures a band forged on the road-refined, intuitive, and deeply connected-delivering performances that balance precision with spontaneity. At the center is Walton's unmistakable voice as a composer and pianist, blending blues-rooted swing with harmonic depth and lyrical clarity. 

The program moves effortlessly between Walton originals and timeless standards, each rendered with elegance and purpose. A defining highlight is the presence of Abbey Lincoln, whose intimate and expressive vocal performances add a profound emotional dimension to the recording. Her collaboration with Walton elevates the title track into a poignant tribute that resonates beyond the moment. Featuring a masterful ensemble-Bob Berg (tenor saxophone), David Williams (bass), and Billy Higgins (drums)-The Maestro stands as a document of a working band at it's peak: cohesive, dynamic, and deeply rooted in the jazz tradition. Digitally remastered in 2026, this reissue restores a vital chapter in Cedar Walton's legacy with renewed clarity and presence.

1 The Maestro 4:58 (Cedar Walton)
2 Rhythm-A-Ning 6:38 (Thelonious Monk)
3 Not in Love 3:30 (Cedar Walton)
4 Sabi 6:22 (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Chico Buarque)
5 A Sentimental Mood 6:50 (Duke Ellington, Manny Kurtz, Irving Mills)
6 Blue Monk 4:49 (Thelonious Monk)
7 Castles 4:49 (Cedar Walton)
8 On the Trail 3:40 (Ferde Grofe)