Bobo Stenson / Anders Jormin / Paul Motian: Goodbye

Avant-garde and jazz legacy: in 2005, the German ECM label released Goodbye, from Swedish pianist Bobo Stenson, bassist Anders Jormin and drummer Paul Motian. The record represents the most accomplished work in Stenson's discography, because it wonderfully and fully embraces the latest jazz musical concepts and the perfect interplay between its band members. The album recalls Bill Evans's jazz trio ensembles, in terms of chords structure and, above all, arrangements.

The first tune, " Send in The Clowns," opens with a few chords announcing the theme, followed by a very lyrical synergy between Jormin and Stenson, who improvise alternatively on Motian's colors.

This approach is also a constant by the trio on songs including "Rowan," "Alfonsina" and "Goodbye," where a solo piano improvisation draws the melodic lines to be played by the band, and particularly Jormin. Even Tony Williams' famous standard, "There Comes a Time," is beautifully introduced by the notes played on Jormin's strings; his personal interpretation redolent of some Middle Eastern melodies.

More generally, as with the Bill Evans' trio, all the musicians elevate every single song by lending their unique contributions to make the music positively unpredictable and, at the same time, soulful. Motian's presence, as the drummer in Evans' first trio, shows how this project represents the modern version of the jazz piano trio.