Yves Theiler Trio: Dance In A Triangle

Although a piano trio has a leader, the better ones behave as an equilateral triangle. That is, they "go Dutch." In the case of the Yves Theiler Trio, we could say the music on Dance In A Triangle "goes Swiss."

The pianist, Yves Theiler, composed all the music here, but it is improbable that it could be navigated by surrogate performers. At least, ones that were not well rehearsed. Theiler, who studied with Richie Beirach and has recorded with Omri Ziegele, collaborates here with drummer Lukas Mantel and bassist Luca Sisera (Tommy Meier Root Down, Michael Jaeger Kerouac). Theiler's previous trio recording was Out Of The Box (Unit Records, 2012).

Their triad approach is evident from track one. "For Bass" opens with some hand drumming, and Theiler's percussive and repetitive metronome plunk of keys that paves Sisera's double bass solo. As the piece develops, it maintains that same repetitive pulse, but effectuates multiple complex changes of direction. Such is the overall modus operandi here.

The obvious comparison to be made here is to The Bad Plus. Live Ethan Iverson, Theiler has taken the percussive piano approach of Ahmad Jamal and injected it with the repetitive sounds of modern composition, hip-hop, and what only can be described as folk/jazz. Thankfully, modern players feel no need to by labeled or pigeon-holed by tradition, with a capitol "T." They can add funky drumming to a piece like "Book Of Piece," yet sidestep simple pop music by charting a course with multiple changes. Theiler uses his Wurlitzer organ in tandem with piano on the title track, backed by the rhythms of Africa and even a soft ballad like "In A Way It's Nothing" delivers a varied approach, as the players rely on a chest throbbing percussive sound. It will be interesting to see what this trio comes up with next.