Jazz Articles about Paul Motian

like 356

Paul Motian: Rarum XVI: Selected Recordings

by Joshua Weiner
April 11, 2004

Paul Motian is best known to most jazz fans as the drummer in perhaps the greatest piano trio ever: the one led by Bill Evans in 1960-1961, which also included bassist Scott LaFaro. But that was a long time ago, and Motian has moved on and explored new realms over three decades as a leader. His contribution to ECM's Rarum series chronicles a fifteen year association with that label and provides a fascinating and useful introduction to his solo work. ...

like 597

Bill Evans Trio: Explorations

by David Rickert
February 10, 2003

An article in a men’s magazine once suggested an exercise regimen that consisted of a walk to the local record store to buy one Bill Evans CD every day. That way you would not only be in better shape, but you would also have a great collection of piano jazz as well. It’s an established fact that Evans revolutionized the sound of the piano trio; you can bet that every pianist who ever worked the hotel lounge circuit has worn ...

like 545

Paul Motian: Holiday for Strings

by Tony Rogers
November 13, 2002

Since his halcyon days as drummer for the legendary Bill Evans trio, Paul Motian has consistently pushed the boundaries of jazz. Working mostly in small groups with the likes of Keith Jarrett, Joe Lovano, Bill Frisell and Charlie Haden, Motian has helped liberate percussionists from their role as simple timekeepers by employing a style and phrasing that uses tempo as a starting point, not an end in itself. In the process he’s produced an invigorating body of work (more than ...

like 355

Paul Motian and the Electric Bebop Band: Europe

by C. Michael Bailey
September 1, 2001

Paul Motian found his soul mate in Stephan Winter.

Paul Motian has been the integrated center of several prominent piano trios between 1955 and 1977, including those lead by Bill Evans (with Scott LaFaro), Paul Bley, and Keith Jarrett. Striking out on his own in the late '70s, Motian began the Electric Bebop Band, originally with Joshua Redman and two electric guitarists. Motian uses this same line up for his latest Winter & Winter outing, but adds a second saxophone. ...

like 325

Marilyn Crispell/Gary Peacock/Paul Motian: Amaryllis

by AAJ Staff
July 1, 2001

It's difficult to give this disc the praise it deserves. Crispell's piano trio work with bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Paul Motian surfaced in fine form on their recent '96 ECM record Nothing Ever Was, Anyway, a tribute to Annette Peacock. Crispell has been quite promiscuous in the past couple decades, working with players from the New York, Chicago, and European improv scenes. Amaryllis, a delicately crystalline record, brings together three personalities with distinctly individual voices. Peacock and Motian combine ...

like 147

Marilyn Crispell, Gary Peacock, Paul Motian: Amaryllis

by David Adler
July 1, 2001

These trio reflections never exceed six minutes per piece. Thus, they come across as perfectly crafted and concise musical thoughts, despite their esoteric thrust. Avant-garde piano titan Marilyn Crispell ranges from hushed, sparkling lyricism to jagged “energy" playing a la Cecil Taylor, with bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Paul Motian completing the conversational triangle. There are certainly parallels to be drawn between this album and Peacock and Motian’s 1999 trio outing with Paul Bley, Not Two, Not One. But here ...

like 193

Marilyn Crispell/Gary Peacock/Paul Motian: Amaryllis

by Mark Corroto
July 1, 2001

If the Crispell/Peacock/Motian record Nothing Ever Was, Anyway (ECM 1997) was the coming-out party for this highly adventurous interactive trio, Amaryllis should begin a series of anticipated recording sessions. Crispell, classically trained, came to jazz late in life. She held the piano chair in Anthony Braxton’s quartet through the 1980s and 90s then went on to make solid solo recordings inspired by John Coltrane, Cecil Taylor, Thelonious Monk, and Paul Bley. Crispell exhibits the beauty of Bill Evans in improvisational ...