Perelman / Shipp / Cosgrove: Live in Carrboro

It is rare that we get a live recording from saxophonist Ivo Perelman and pianist Matthew Shipp. Of their 40-plus discs, the majority have been studio productions. This Live In Carrboro date from November 4, 2022 shares the same line-up as Live In Baltimore (Leo Records, 2017) with the addition of drummer Jeff Cosgrove. Recommended to Perelman by Shipp, Cosgrove is more of a colorist than a free player. He has previously released an album of Paul Motian covers and Motian's touch is definitely felt on this single fifty-five minute track.

Perelman and Shipp always perform without preparation, notation, or discussion. Like two brothers from different mothers, their ongoing dialogue ostensively picks up where the pair left off at some other time and place. Ideas flash and alternately the saxophonist or the pianist sets the orientation. With the addition of Cosgrove, as with any additional player, the question was would he become overwhelmed by his partners or forced to elbow his way into their dialogue? Neither is the case here. Cosgrove finds his happy place by accenting his partners with cymbal splash, tom-tom pulse, and various tints and tones. Halfway through the performance, Perelman and Shipp lay out giving Cosgrove the stage. He does not wow the crowd with agitation but draws them in with a very understated solo. As the pair rejoin, there is a sense of satiation and balance which the music finds with this triangle of sound.