Simetrio: Simetrio

The debut release from Chilean piano trio Simetrío has its own fresh aesthetic. This trio does not want to be cornered as another Latin jazz outfit but seeks to create its own repertoire free of any genre boundaries.

The trio have been working since 2009 but bassist Marcelo Córdova and pianist Lautaro Quevedo, the composers of the trio original material, began working together in the nineties as session musicians in the United Arab Emirates. The trio refer to pianists Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea Egberto Gismonti}} and Enrico Pieranunzzi as major influences.

True to the trio's artistic ethos the compositions don't surrender to typical descriptions. There is a lyrical, light touch in Quevedo's playing—particularly on his own compositions, "Encuentro" and "Pasaje en el tiempo," but the tight rhythm section of Córdova and drummer Carlos Cortés always keep the tension up. Even the Latin elements that are apparent in some of the compositions such as "El ataque" or "Lost Waltz" surrender to the driving interplay of the trio.

The first eight compositions on this release were penned by Quevedo and the last four by Córdova. The latter compositions further emphasize the trio's tight rhythmic interplay and their Latin inflections, especially on "Fe de hierro" where the trio is augmented by percussionist Cristian Moraga. Córdova gently leads the lyrical "El Faro" and the brief, elegiac "Impresión," which are the most beautiful compositions on this recording.

A promising and unique trio.