Jeremie Ternoy Trio: Bill

Pianist Jérémie Ternoy's trio has developed a unique aesthetic. Lyrical—almost ethereal—and highly suggestive music loaded with spaces and breath, this French pianist trio's third recording, coming four years after Bloc (Zig-Zag Territoires, 2008), highlights the trio's warm and close interplay, as well as its rich language.

Bill is framed by eight pictures/compositions, each one sketching a clear pattern that sets its thematic development and scope of invention. Within these patterns, the compositions blossom organically, with great reserve and sensitivity, stressing their melodic core, the emphatic interplay and their suggestive storytelling.

Two takes of "Dessus" feature a stubborn, repetitive theme, articulated patiently through Ternoy and bassist Nicolas Mahieux's solos, repeatedly solidifying the rhythmic pattern. The interlocking rhythms of "Répétitifs" further emphasize the trio's approach, its ritualism, sustain and repetition reminiscent of Swiss pianist Nik Bärtsch's disciplined grooves with his band, Ronin.

But the trio's musical scope is much broader. "Le" possesses a delicate, poetic and concise melody that could be borrowed for an infectious pop song. The title track shifts between a gentle swinging pattern and a serene, chamber jazz atmosphere, highlighted with Mahieux's remarkable, short arco solo. "De" has a lyrical theme that is folded with methodical care and reserve; fragment after fragment, until it reaches its full beauty. Even the minimalistic and spare "Ligoté" keeps the same lyrical sense of flow and continuity.

Highly original and beautiful music.