By Anthony Dean-Harris | Published January 2026
Aaron Parks’ approach to the piano always has an all-encompassing sense of gorgeousness, something so overwhelming that it’s a delight when Parks himself is swept up in it himself and starts singing along, like Keith Jarrett without the off-putting ego.
With his latest album, By All Means!!, created alongside his now long-standing trio with bassist Ben Street and legendary drummer Billy Hart, Parks demonstrates that he is more than well equipped to comfortably play
out this expected lushness. Tenor saxophonist Ben Solomon joining the trio on this outing is a welcome addition.
The passionate “For María José,” dedicated to Parks’ wife, is the kind of sweepingly lush tune the pianist has become known for. “Anywhere Together” gallops along and swings in a way that reminds you this is a well and true Blue Note record, meant to stand the test of time.
The swinging “Little River,” written for Parks’ son, has those same recognizable touches but with a brighter energy and gives Hart more interesting places to show some head-turning flourishes.
Solomon’s playing alongside Parks is perfectly balanced here, providing the clarion calls the bandleader intends in his heartfelt compositions. He sings just as soulfully as Parks does.
With this release, Aaron Parks has crafted a collection of songs, songs with lushness and bounce and character. They bloom
with balance and grace. They work for
all seasons.
