by Ken DrydenRodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I, a musical adaptation of Anna and the King of Siam, was a huge hit on Broadway, resulting in a hit film and several revivals. Jazz musicians have included "Hello, Young Lovers" in their repertoire for years and there have been a few who have done an entire album devoted to music from the show. But Ted Rosenthal's 2006 recording is one of the few since the heyday of interest from the '50s to focus exclusively on this wonderful music. The pianist is well accompanied by bassist George Mraz and drummer Lewis Nash. Opening with a solemn "My Lord and Master," the mood quickly shifts with a tasty midtempo setting of "Shall We Dance?" The loping "I Whistle a Happy Tune" has a whimsical country air, while the lush, dreamy arrangement of "We Kiss in a Shadow" is full of romance. "Getting to Know You" is transformed with a brisk, breezy chart. "March of the Siamese Children" is among the most dramatic offerings, while David Hazeltine adds a catchy vamp in his workout of "Hello, Young Lovers" (a favorite of the late pianist Jaki Byard). There's plenty of life in songs from old musicals, particularly anything written by Rodgers & Hammerstein, as Rosenthal and company demonstrate in this delightful CD.