Ben Paterson: Cookin' in the Couvre

Ben Paterson's release Cookin' in the Couve captures the energy and intimacy of a jazz trio in full swing. The album features Paterson on piano, Neal Miner on bass and Aaron Seeber on drums as they deliver hard-swinging blues-infused jazz, balancing technical finesse with soulful expression. The set list is a delightful mix of Paterson originals and some of his favorite blues-heavy standards, each chosen to showcase the trio's cohesion and groove.

The session opens with the title track, "Cookin' in the Couve, " a Paterson original that cooks from the opening notes. Paterson covers the keyboard with fresh harmonic ideas and intricate melodic turns. Seeber takes a brushwork solo, adding texture and depth to the number. Guitarist Kenny Burrell penned "Chitlins Con Carne," in which Paterson captures the number's bluesy intent, grounding the interpretation in a textured exploration. Miner's solo is filled with rich and supple bass lines.

Henry Nemo wrote "'Tis Autumn" in 1941, but it never really caught on until 1949 when it was recorded by the Nat King Cole Trio, turning it into a jazz standard. Paterson taps into the beautiful melody and interesting harmonic construction, delivering an expressive version of the number in full command of timbre and texture for a softly luminous effect. In 1960, pianist Bobby Timmons recorded This Here Is Bobby Timmons on the Riverside label. It was his first album as a sole leader, and it contained his hard bop composition, "This Here." Paterson's take on the number is filled with blues-infused fervor as his left-hand comping provides a percussive counterpoint to his melodic right hand. Seeber's drumming accents perform a buoyant drive, with Miner's bass providing the glue to keep it all together.

Another blues master is pianist Ray Bryant. His piece, "Chicken 'N' Dumplins," is fueled by Paterson's soulful touch evoking the spirit of piano greats such as Gene Harris and Oscar Peterson. Miner and Seeber are locked into a rhythmic pocket that keeps the momentum alive. The closer is another Paterson original, "Morning Perusal." In this bossa nova-framed theme, the number is a testament to the enduring appeal of the piano trio format. Paterson, Miner and Seeber demonstrate how tradition and innovation coexist, delivering a performance that swings while remaining deeply emotive.

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