After making a single pass through this record, the "young lions" scenario of old came to mind. Not so much because these guys are content to mine the past (which they definitely do not) but because they seem to be able to make fresh the trio format by reveling in modern improvised music (there are several purely improvised pieces here), pop music (a very cool take on Bjork's "Hyperballad") and more traditional forms (including Wayne Shorter's "Plaza Real" and Tomasz Stanko's "Green Sky").
Sure, you say, but aren't other groups doing this kind of thing? The Bad Plus? Charlie Hunter? Brad Mehldau. Well, yes and no. Yes, because all of those groups do like to transform modern pop forms. No, because the Simple Acoustic Trio is as much about being a unit as anything else. What's most surprising about these guys is how young they are...and how well they play together given their ages (when they were recruited by Stanko in 1993 their average age was 17). Seriously, I'd put this Trio right up against ECM's 'flagship' trio of Jarrett, DeJohnette and Peacock. Their improvised pieces carry that hallmark of inspired triology: they appear to complete each other's musical thoughts. On "Free Combinations For Three Instruments", Kurkiewicz starts things off with a knotty bass excursion before Wasilewski's piano adds to the conversation. When Miskiewicz' dark and rolling toms join in the medition coalesces into what seems like a mysterious, yet effortless discussion. Quite the trick.
Jazz is supposed to be "America's Classical Music". The reasons for its lack of support here (vs. pop, rock and other forms) are multiple and complex. I'm not here to predict that this group (or any other) is going to start another revolution. But will they leave a their mark in the jazz world?
They already have.
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
I saw this in the store last week and was wondering what it was, what with those "ski" and "wicz" names involved. I just had a vision of something very quietly noisy, experimental ambient or something. Now that I've listened to the samples, dang, that's sure not noisy. Very nice - I'll have to put this on the ever-growing list . . .
2 - Mark Saleski
and hey, even though i'm polish...i those names tied my danged fingers in knots.
3 - Tom Johnson
Mark, a year and a half later, I just picked this up at Tower's wake for less than $4. It's stunning. I should have paid full price for this long ago. Damn!
4 - Mark Saleski
see? never doubt me! empty that bank account!!!
;-)