Simplicity

Notes from the composer

     

This is not a "classical" recording. It is for jazz trio, Phil Grenadier-trumpet, Nat Mugavero-drums, Bob Nieske-bass, and the Lydian String Quartet. Some of the pieces are only trio and others are for the trio with strings. There is a lot of 3 way improvisation here in the tradition of Jimmy Giuffre, who I played with for 12 years. The strings are even improvising in that they decided when they wanted to play certain backgrounds during the trio solo sections. Pieces like "Emma", "Wee three" and "The Stretch" have no written chords to improvise over but instead the musicians improvise with thematic material and the essence of the mood of the piece. Other pieces have more traditional chord changes. The music is not "Out". I am not a fan of "just playing free" but think free playing should come out of something concrete. Again, a similar approach to Jimmy Giuffre and his trio with Paul Bley and Steve Swallow. Enjoy!