Three By Three: The Evolving Art Of The Trio - Brian Schwarz Trio, Three For All, Edward Simon

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

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Published: September 8, 2006

Simon's compositions are light, airy and artfully conceived. "Invocation has hints of the post-Bill Evans territory staked out by Alan Broadbent. Patitucci's bass flits in and out of an impressionistic introduction, before breaking into a straight-ahead jazz performance transected with 6/8 alternating with 4/4 signatures. The bassist's own "The Messenger affords the bassist and pianist ample solo room. Simon's support of Patitucci is assertive without being distractive. Brian Blade performs with the greatest grace, never trampling the melody instruments. His easy swing and sure time keep the fiesta in the groove.

Taken in total, Unicity is a jazz suite performed by the best players and improvisers the music has to offer. It's the finest trio recording I expect to hear this year. Edward Simon warrants our attention and praise.

Tracks and Personnel

Three

Tracks: Samba De; Outono I've Never Been In Love Before; My Shining Hour; Mi Sonita; I Thought About You; Emily; A Ghost Of A Chance; Out Of View; Poor Butterfly; The Best Thing For You Is Me; How Deep Is The Ocean?; Father To Many.

Personnel: Brian Swartz: trumpet; Larry Koonse: guitar; Darek Oles: bass.

We Three

Tracks: What Time Is It; Played Twice; We 3; Up And Adam; The Jewish Warrior; Whistling Past The Graveyard; I Only Have Eyes For You; Cycling; All Blues Listen; The Start Of Something Small; BTU.

Personnel: David Liebman: saxophones; Steve Swallow: bass; Adam Nussbaum: drums.

Unicity

Tracks: Invocation; The Messenger; Abiding Unicity; Gevriasolas; The Midst Of Chaos; Prelude N.9; Pathless Path; Evolution; Eastern; Abiding Unicity (Reprise).

Personnel: Edward Simon: piano; Steve Swallow: bass; Brian Blade: drums.

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