ES Trio: The Foreign In Us

German saxophonist and clarinetist Edith Steyer is a consummate improviser. Her spontaneously created work defies genres, blending jazz, ethnic, and Western classical influences. On April 6, 2023, Steyer appeared at the Elastic Arts venue in Chicago together with two of the city's most distinctive musicians, pianist Mabel Kwan and percussionist Michael Zerang. The material from this stimulating concert was soon afterward released as The Foreign In Us on the progressive label Relative Pitch.

The album comprises five duos and five ensemble performances that captivate with their dynamism and restless creativity. The disc opens and closes with Levantine-influenced saxophone and drum exchanges, maintaining a delightfully tense atmosphere. "Ornaments (Streets of Neukoln)" matches Steyer's fiery alto saxophone with Zerang's thunderous polyrhythms. The result is simultaneously raw and lyrical, laced with an Eastern mysticism. These motifs continue into the following "The Foreign in Me" with Steyer's languid incandescent lines burning a path among Zerang's percolating beats.

The pieces featuring Steyer and Kwan are more serene, using silent pauses to create a hypnotic ambiance. On the haunting "Distant Nearness" Steyer's reverberating phrases alternate with Kwan's resonant chords to form angular refrains which evolve into a melancholic dialogue. Meanwhile, the brief yet poignant "Rest in Spheres" is imbued with a quiet spirituality as Steyer blows softly and Kwan coaxes tolling notes from the piano strings.

The trio tracks are even more provocative and moving, with each artist building on the others' improvisations to create sublimely cohesive music. On "Broken Piece," Kwan's percussive keys mirror Zerang's chiming cymbals as they build a vibrant rhythmic framework around Steyer's passionate clarinet. Steyer infuses her explorations with wistful poetry even as she flirts with dissonance. The tune closes with a subtle melancholy. "Mechanical Gardeners" starts with Steyer playing long, mournful lines over a sprinkle of bells and piano tones. The mood is ethereal with a Zen serenity enveloping the hushed three-way conversation.

Cinematic and intriguing, The Foreign In Us is an enthralling disc that rewards both adventurous listeners and those with more "mainstream" inclinations. The camaraderie achieved by the three artists, despite their short collaboration, is truly remarkable. This is a testament to their superb musicianship and inventiveness.

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