Jerry Bergonzi first recorded with Danish pianist Carl Winther and his rhythm section in 2011. Since then, they have recorded over half a dozen albums and toured regularly. Here, Bergonzi's schooled phrasing and tonal control make the most of a well-crafted set of theme-and-variation originals that take in modal blues, a brace of elegiac ballads – ‘Bar None’ written by Bergonzi is the standout – and a moving requiem to Winther's pianist father Jens, who died in 2011, aged 50. It was from Jens that Carl Winther developed an early appreciation of McCoy Tyner and later Kenny Kirkland, the main piano influences displayed on this CD. For the most part, the rhythm section provides solid, uncluttered and swinging support. Drummer Mogensen's cymbals ping nicely, brushes swish, and bassist Aman's counterpoint has accuracy and bounce. But the attention-grabbing moments are delivered when the empathy between Winther and Bergonzi is at its clearest. Here, Winther's voicings, touch and accuracy complement Bergonzi's wistful tone and edgy vibrato to a T. Check out the opening duet on ‘Requiem’, the long fade on ‘Inner Journey’ and the opening to ‘Long Gone’.