Trio Fran

Trio Fran: Cactus

by AAJ Staff
November 1, 2000

On Cactus, his fourth record, François Bourassa's piano trio becomes a quartet with the addition of saxophonist André Leroux. Leroux adds a lot of spice by playing some spirited solos that utilize the full range of his instrument, occasionally venturing into extended techniques to achieve the maximum effect of overtones and underblown delicacy. The pieces on Cactus where Leroux lends his horn are certainly the finest on the record.

Otherwise, the Bourassa trio suffers from a problem common to many ...