Paul Silbergleit Trio: The Stillness of July

With four previous releases under his belt, guitarist Paul Silbergleit has been a steady presence in the Milwaukee jazz scene since his debut record, Silberglicity, appeared in 1996. But The Stillness of July is his first outing complemented by bassist Clay Schaub and drummer Devin Drobka. This fine trio provides a lithe treatment of several Silbergleit originals and a few well-chosen standards, giving Silbergleit his best opportunity yet to showcase his talents.

With a commitment to technical precision and melodic depth, Silbergleit's style clearly bears the mantle of Joe Pass, and Silbergleit has published instructional guides in homage of that guitar legend. Listening to the infectious opener, "How Shallow the Duck Pond," one of Silbergleit's three compositions on the record, reveals Silbergleit's flawless, crisp lines, navigated with deceptive facility. "Riversong" is just as impressive, with a Latin-inflected spirit that gives Silbergleit's fleet phrasings a strong foundational groove, aided by Drobka's nimble drumwork and a feisty solo on the toms.

The album's cover tunes are also enjoyable, ranging from Charlie Parker's "Bongo Beep," highlighting Schaub's adroit unison lines with Silbergleit on the head (and an excellent bass solo to boot), to the relaxed stroll of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Getting to Know You," and a fine rendition of "Poinciana," providing the trio another chance to work its way through a compelling groove. Silbergleit's reworking of Stevie Wonder's "Summer Soft" in an odd-meter arrangement adds a bit of spice to that cut as well. But it is on the gorgeous "Ribbons Down My Back," taken from Hello, Dolly!, that Silbergleit's way with a melody truly shines. The tune's inherent lyricism is foregrounded expertly through the guitarist's careful articulation, each note finding its place perfectly.

Silbergleit's consummate professionalism and attention to detail are amply evident here, and it is just as apparent that his beguiling chemistry with Schaub and Drobka gives him something to build on with this promising unit. This is a trio worth following.