Here are a couple variations of the standard jazz trio where the piano tells the bass and drums what to do. Have fun!
You can even tell by the front cover that the guy in charge of this session is the octogenarian Albert “Tootie” Heath. And why not? He’s done it all with everyone and has done it right. While Ethan Iverson/p and Ben Street/b aren’t completely deferential, and take some nice solos here and there, this is Heath’s spotlight, and he gives a workshop on the art of the trio here. Iverson’s musings on the 20’s hit “The Charleston” has Heath delivering conversational stick work, while Ellington’s “Intimacy of the Blues” is delightfully delicate. Heath shows style and substance as he closes the session with a solo shot that is all class and void of histrionics. As timeless as a 3 piece suit.
On the more unorthodox side, the trio of Bill Mays/p, Marvin Stamm/tp-fh and Alisa Horn/cello deliver four different types of tributes. The first is an homage to Bill Evans, with Mays going solo on “My Bells” and excellent interplay between the three on “Waltz for Debby.” A collection of themes searching for a movie has some moody and melancholy mixed with mysterious on “Main Title” and “Bittersweet,” and some exciting moments on the Iberian section with Corea’s “Spain.” Thelonious Monk gets a tip of the hat on three songs with some playful and chaotic material, with “Pannonica” sounding wonderfully tipsy. Well crafted.
Sunnyside Records
Chiaroscuro Records