Marc Copland: New York Trio Recordings Vol. 2: Voices

Copland has been recording for the past twenty years and has more than twenty albums under his own name recorded for significant indie labels including Savoy, Steeplechase, Sunnyside and Nagel-Heyer. Copland was originally an altoist with the Chico Hamilton Band in the early 1970s, but then rechanneled his energies into making piano his main axe. In addition to his many recordings, he has participated as a valued sideman on countless occasions.

Voices is the second volume of recordings by the Marc Copland Trio under the heading of New York Trio Recordings Vol. 2. The first volume, Modinha (Pirouet, 2007), was with Peacock and drummer Bill Stewart.

The music presented here is an enjoyable meeting of three interactive musicians who make their livelihood by being intuitive to the needs of a trio format. The tunes are all compositions by Copland or Peacock, with the exception of Miles Davis' jazz standard "All Blues." Copland's title tune and Peacock's following "Runner" spell out the essence of the trio, with probing and lyrical playing from all. On "Voices," Peacock steps out nicely, as he does on the album's closer, "At Night," framed by Motian's sensitive brushwork. On "River's Run" which is in jazz waltz territory, both Copland and Peacock are featured.

Voices is another fine example of the modern jazz piano trio at work.

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