Trio X (Joe McPhee - reeds/brass, Dominic Duval - bass, Jay Rosen - drums) This numbered and limited edition box contains most of the results of a 2006 Mid Western Tour by this distingished trio which has been together since the mid 1990s…
In 2008, Trio X conducted a tenth anniversary tour, all of it recorded by the master engineer, Marc Rusch. And now the music from that tour is preserved in a magnificent 5-CD set: Trio X Live on Tour 2008. Those who have followed Trio X over the years will find this both familiar and fresh and will rejoice in the pleasures of this new release. Program notes for the complete set are written by Producer Bob Rusch, and address the music and each venue (Colgate University; Edgefest [Ann Arbor, MI]; University of Illinois at Urbana [Champaign, IL]; Waukee, Iowa; Davenport, Iowa [PolyRhythms]; Bowling Green State University [Bowling Green, OH]; and Hamilton College). Great music, state of the art audio, photos, and insights all wrapped up in one delicious package.
"Traumerei" is a German word that means daydream or reverie. It is the title song on this eleven track CD by Trio X of Sweden. It is also a perfect description of the music herein, played lovingly by Lennart Simonsson on piano, Per V Johansson on bass, and Joakim Ekberg on drums. "Traumerei" (Prophone 2012). On the subdued pieces the drumming is subtle even as it measures the beat, and provides nice touches of color particularly with the brushes. A lot of the slower songs fit into the chamber jazz category, lovely and ethereal. But there are also some quiet pieces with a swing beat, and definitely upbeat tunes as well.
This second volume of miscellaneous chamber works contains all of the music that is not a formal quartet, quintet, or sextet. In includes the piano trios, the wonderful Terzetto for two violins and viola, works for solo instrument and piano, pieces for piano four-hands, and all of those little, undefinable works, some of which (such as the Bagatelles for two violins, cello, and harmonium) are magnificent.
This version of the Tchaikovsky measures up extremely well against its competition; moreover it is (like all chamber recordings from this source) very well balanced. Pianist Stefan Mendl is able to dominate yet become a full member of the partnership throughout. The second movement's variations open gently but soon develop the widest range of style, moving through Tchaikovsky's kaleidoscopic mood-changes like quicksilver and often with elegiac lyrical feeling.
Jennifer Koh, a “brilliant violinist” (The New Yorker) who performs with “conviction, ferocity, and an irresistible sense of play” (Washington Post), showcases works by Kaija Saariaho, the visionary and much-honored Finnish composer with whom Koh has closely collaborated and feels a deep personal bond.
The Atipico Trio's Gone with the Winds could also be called "Three Guys Passing Wind" or "Middle-Aged Farts at Play." No disrespect meant; in fact, quite the opposite. The clarinet, saxophone, and voice trio (each member does everything, sometimes at once) is comprised of Carlo Actis Dato, Sandro Cerino, and Stefano Corradi, sly dogs all. They would have you believe by their album cover – and the fact that they dedicate their works to aunts, pharmacists, dogs, etc…