When I heard that Matt Cameron, the drummer for Pearl Jam and the former drummer for Soundgarden, had formed a jazz trio, I nearly jumped out of my skin. Sure, I knew that Cameron had dabbled quite a bit in his 22-year recording career. He worked with side projects like Wellwater Conspiracy and Hater. And he took turns behind the drum-kit with Smashing Pumpkins, Geddy Lee, and Tony Iommi. But a fucking jazz trio? No way.
With equal parts trepidation and anticipation, I slid the self-titled debut for Harrybu McCage in my player and sat back with my eyes closed. Joined by Ryan Burns on keyboard/guitars and Herbie Hancock bassist Geoff Harper, Cameron contributes guitar and, of course, drums.
The first track, “I Mean You,” eases in agreeably and the progress from the rock Cameron knows best to the jazz he knows well is understated and surprisingly smooth. An almost flighty guitar riff accents the Hawkins and Monk tune and Harper’s bass carries the song through its relatively quick pace. Cameron’s stable hand guides the track from the back, but he’s never brassy and always on point. Burns’ keyboard accents the song nicely. There’s even a moment of crushing distorted guitar at about the four-minute mark that progresses things into familiar territory for Pearl Jam fans without abandoning the clear jazz foundation.
Needless to say, Harrybu McCage has impressed me already.
By nailing the piano introduction to Duke Ellington’s “A Little Max,” it becomes clear that Cameron’s trio knows their stuff. And why shouldn’t they? Matt has assembled a top class group of musicians and the song choices on the debut are brilliant.
Harrybu McCage certainly has a thing for Thelonious Monk (hey, who doesn’t?) as five of the ten songs come from his oeuvre. The trio’s interpretations of pieces like “Evidence” and “Off Minor” are dead right.
Article comments