Human Spirit

“Keys to the City”

(Autumn Hill)

With his music featured in film and television productions including American Horror Story, Weeds and The Good Wife, pianist and composer Michael Silverman has been heard by millions. Although he may not be a household name, he’s also ranked among the most streamed and downloaded instrumentalists in the world on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon. And, for more than a dozen years, he and his brother, Rob Silverman, have been at the helm of the Autumn Hill label, its catalog of classical and new age music scoring number one albums on iTunes and other charts. For his first contemporary-jazz album, Human Spirit (Autumn Hill), Silverman could hardly be in better company. The pianist has teamed up with keyboardist and composer Jeff Lorber on songs for the album, which make use of Silverman’s palette of classical and new age colors as well as producer and co-writer Lorber’s deep well of fusion and R&B. Silverman also recruited some of the top players in the contemporary-jazz field, who bring depth and groove to the proceedings. “Keys to the City” is a shimmering confection, with the leader’s piano evincing sunlight sparkling on the water and a propulsive, flowing rhythm provided by guitarist Michael Thompson, bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta.