Cary Kilner
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Cary Kilner's Picks: Volume 59
This month I want to revisit my theme of the jazz trio in three different configurations. See if you don’t agree that it provides a closer listen to the material and so has its own aesthetic. Bill Evans trio, then Eliane Elias trio – My Foolish Heart Bill plays his usual gorgeous slow ballad style on this early classic recording. It’s his first great trio with Scott LaFaro on bass, who began the new style of bass as an independent voice in the trio, and not just accompaniment. Then compare another nice treatment by Eliane, whom I haven’t presented for a while. She also has a gentle and pretty pensive style on ballads. https://youtu.be/EpVXH3Vm2wg?si=VchE-KF5V3lWK9oG https://youtu.be/SdgvfN9TG5s?si=vwAkVKkZv84vq0W8 Chick Corea – Matrix Here is one of my favorite albums, early Chick with Roy Haynes and Miroslav Vitous just killin’ it! This is the whole Now He Sings, Now He Sobs album, plus some out-takes that I haven’t yet heard. Matrix is a 12-bar blues but see how he really transforms it. This album was a pivotal move forward for jazz piano and the trio when it came out. Note how Roy bounces along, keeping very strong time. And Miroslav, who later joined Weather Report, continues that Scott Lafaro transformation of the bass role into a strong voice of its own. https://youtu.be/nKuQ6gwbPqk?si=b7wPJKMvr_XigwyG Roy Haynes – Passion Dance & Matrix The first is the classic John Coltrane tune, done in a manner similar to the original with McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones and Jimmy Garrison. Note that bounce that Roy has, that makes his playing so alive. And he’s in his 90s and still playing? The congas in the rhythm section really help to build the energy. There’s a great alto, tenor, and trumpet player who trade eights after the piano. Then some cacophony at the end when they all play at once and Roy keeps everything crackling and popping along. The second link is a more recent version of Chick’s tune that I just found. (By the way, Roy was a very snappy dresser. I believe he and Miles Davis were both named “best-dressed” in a Playboy poll in the 1960s.) https://youtu.be/Sd3Q0Na4pmM?si=I9dDpQVgwcNh7UOL Dave Stryker – I Got Rhythm Now here's a jazz guitar trio for you! Lots of space in them—usually with only six strings while ten fingers in a piano trio. I know you'll like this—pure music, no noise—playing that old bebop warhorse. Note his precision lines, somewhat like those of Pat Martino. https://youtu.be/dMnMRsRNoJo?si=lFri6JuF17vod1cC Joey DeFrancisco – Monk’s Dream Here’s another version of the jazz trio, with organ, guitar, and drums. Nice guitarist, nice drummer. And Joey is playing a swinging left-hand bass while weaving sweet lines with his right (tricky!) Turn up the volume for the full effect! https://youtu.be/FyzOEwI7etU?si=xx_ZDYH-8btpw_p- Bob Mintzer – When I Fall in Love This a really nice medium-swing version performance of this classic ballad. And another example of the organ trio – now guitar but added tenor. And we have that sweet left-hand bass on the organ. Bob is from the Yellowjackets, and sounds a lot like my favorite West Coast tenor, Ernie Watts. https://youtu.be/O6ObbcE8w6Y?si=SSKcKSEpX2lguGFq Lynne Arriale – Estate Let’s slow it down again with this nice pianist. This is a standard Brazilian ballad but written by an Italian, Bruno Martino. https://youtu.be/Ds4-n5uZRi0?si=SlC8Cym4Xl33-crK Consuelo Candelaria-Barry and Kevin Barry — The Best Things Can Happen When You're Dancing Consuelo is the pianist who performed with Bill Pierce’s Quintet at The Press Room this past Sunday. This is a very interesting piece I think you will enjoy. It’s pretty and intricate and just a happy piece. https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=k-y01N6jvz0&si=-JK28PDCHaHpsr9k Randy Brecker and Eric Marienthal – Double Dream Here’s some kickin’ jazz-funk for you. Eric was a member of the Chick Corea Elektrik Band. And Randy was in the first edition of Blood, Sweat & Tears. Enough said! https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=13YJSmBBthU&si=ftL2a8y4-D8WPInB Chuck Loeb, Jeff Lorber and Eric Marienthal – Confirmation Here’s another classic bebop tune that is usually played very fast, but here in a nice medium swing and with a modern concept. Jeff is more often found in a smooth-jazz context. https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=7GS3SjuRZzE&si=M0epJSsUMSpN7D4 |
