An outstanding veteran pianist from Barcelona (Spain), Tete Montoliu was born blind. By the mid-50s he was regularly sitting in with visiting American artists, including Lionel Hampton. By the end of the decade he had ventured north to play at a number of important European jazz festivals and had also played in Scandinavia. Montoliu's own recording career began in 1958, and he was to prove a prolific recording artist.
"The second volume of duets by guitarist Mundell Lowe and the late pianist Tete Montoliu for the European label Fresh Sound is a delight from start to finish. The marvelous support that each musician provides for the other on the sprightly opener "Tangerine" is just a preview of what's to come. Montoliu's quick runs within "Everything Happens to Me" are reminiscent of Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson, while Lowe plays fairly straight-ahead throughout the piece. Montoliu tones it down a bit during Thad Jones' masterful ballad "A Child Is Born." The duo is at its most playful with a gently waltzing take of "The Way You Look Tonight." While this may not be the best work by either man, it is rewarding music and worth exploring."
Ken Dryden (All Music Guide)
