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String Trio of New York
The String Trio of New York: The River of Orion: 30 Years Running
by Francis Lo Kee
The String Trio of New York (STNY) started in 1977 with John Lindberg (bass), James Emery (guitar) and Billy Bang (violin). Lindberg and Emery have been constant while there have been a number of violinists since Bang left in 1986: Charles Burnham, Regina Carter and Diane Monroe. Now with violinist Rob Thomas, they may have their most unified musical vision. Though he contributes no compositions here, his playing is strong on every level and, because of the register of his ...
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by Glenn Astarita
Established in 1979 with the Black Saint album First String, featuring Billy Bang manning the violin chair, the revered band String Trio of New York celebrates its 30-year anniversary with the impressionable effort, The River of Orion: 30 Years Running. Over the years, the trio has invited guest artists, such as saxophonist Oliver Lake and pianist Anthony Davis, to partake in performances and recordings. However, bassist John Lindberg and guitarist James Emery loom as the core components of the trio's ...
read moreString Trio of New York: Frozen Ropes (with Oliver Lake)
by Troy Collins
The venerable String Trio of New York, founded in 1977, is one of the jazz world's longest running avant-chamber ensembles. Co-founding guitarist James Emery and bassist John Lindberg, along with the group's most recent addition, violinist Rob Thomas, continue to balance stunning virtuosity with free-form expressionism. Featuring iconic alto saxophonist Oliver Lake as a guest artist, Frozen Ropes is a unique item in the enduring ensemble's lengthy discography. Lake proves himself an ideal companion for the trio, whose ardent textures, ...
read moreString Trio of New York: Frozen Ropes (with Oliver Lake)
by David Adler
On occasion, the String Trio of New York (guitarist James Emery, bassist John Lindberg, and violinist Rob Thomas) has worked with special guests, including pianist Anthony Davis and vocalist Jay Clayton. Frozen Ropes, with altoist Oliver Lake, is a worthy and concise addition to the group's catalog.
These five selections total just over 46 minutes. The first two tracks, both extended pieces, are the strongest. Shiffs, penned by Lake, opens with composed rubato dissonance and progresses through a thicket of ...
read moreString Trio of New York: Gut Reaction
by Sean Patrick Fitzell
Given their reputation for great live performances throughout their 25-year history, it's hard to believe that the String Trio of New York's 14th album is their first live release, but it's true. Gut Reaction is also the recording debut of the trio's newest member, violinist Rob Thomas, who joined stalwarts guitarist James Emery and bassist John Lindberg. Culled from three nights at the Jazz Standard, the trio proves that despite the lack of percussion, it's not just chamber jazz" or ...
read moreString Trio of New York: Faze Phour: A Twenty Year Retrospective
by Glenn Astarita
The much beloved “String Trio of New York” commemorate their twenty plus years in the business with this 1998 release titled, Faze Phour: A Twenty Year Retrospective. Bassist John Lindberg and guitarist James Emery have been blazing these vivacious trails of modern jazz for many years as their respective resumes performing with the likes of Anthony Braxton, Marty Ehrlich, Eric Watson and others serve as testaments to their highly literate jazz vernaculars. Here, along with the extremely talented violinist Diane ...
read moreString Trio of New York: Area Code 212
by AAJ Staff
This CD reissue of the Trio’s second LP leaves the original notes intact, which seem a little odd at this juncture. Most of the space is spent to explain that you really can play jazz without horns, and many examples are given – yes, this can be jazz, really it can! The fact that this has been reissued should be indication that fans have accepted it. Today, Billy Bang and John Lindberg are stars; this engaging, challenging album will help ...
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