I have played in some wonderful trios. One of my favorite outings was recording on drummer Claire Arenius’ When Worlds Touch You with Arenius and bassist Thomson Kneeland. This recording featuring Claire’s deep, original writing and some real simpatico playing. It can be purchased on her website at www.clairearenius.com. Claire brings a drummer’s sensibility to her compositions, they’re fresh and spacious, filled with cool surprises, and so relaxed. Check out Blues for the Wizard and C.E.T (named for Claire, Eugene, Thomson):
Here’s another trio with Claire Arenius, but this one has three leaders. Drummer Claire, bassist Jamie MacDonald and myself. No matter what tune or style we were playing, we could turn on a dime simultaneously, poised and ready to venture collectively in new directions. When we were playing standards we were the “Tiny Trio.” When we were interpreting each other’s originals we were “The Ambassadors of Light”. We often joined forces with fractal artists Bob Laclair and photographer/dancer Elsa Borrero to present multi-media events. Check out Transform All Mishaps by the Ambassadors:
I completed a project with Thomson Kneeland on bass and Steve Johns on drums that was never released. I listen back to it and it reminded me of how influenced I was by the ECM label and the Esbjörn Svensson Trio. This recording evokes shimmering, snow-covered landscapes and utilizes open sections surrounded by clear musical forms. Representative of that trio are Niño, Breath, and a version of Transform All Mishaps: