Matt Renzi / Stefano Senni / Jimmy Weinstein: 4 Stories

This recording session of the trio of reed player Matt Renzi, bassist Stefano Senni and drummer Jimmy Weinstein was accidental. The trio had not planned to make a recording, nothing was discussed before the four recorded improvisations, and the session was completed in one day, recorded direct to disc with no edits, and presented in the same sequence as the tracks were laid down.

The improvisational stories unfold patiently and organically, stressing a calm and intimate atmosphere, where every breath, phrase, touch or beat counts. There is no sense of urgency nor any attempt to feature any kind of virtuoso playing, just total commitment to in-the-moment musical creation.

Senni is the axis of these improvisations. His confident playing on "First Story" sketches a cohesive structure to this relaxed improvisation, assembling Renzi and Weinstein's gentle articulations around it. Renzi leads "Second Story," while Senni and Weinstein solidify his gently evocative and elaborate clarinet flights. "Third Story" surrenders to a rhythmic, dance-like pattern, with Renzi offering the melodic theme, but it's Senni and Weinstein who accentuate and expand its slow-burning narrative. Senni's powerful playing introduces "Fourth Story," anchoring its first muscular and later spare interplay.

This accidental musical meeting proves, once again, that true improvising musicians do not need more than like-minded comrades to produce excellent music.