Jazz trio
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Ajazz triois a group of threejazzmusicians, often a piano trio comprising apianist,adouble bassplayer and adrummer.[1]Jazz trios are commonly named after their leader, such as theBill Evans Trio.
Variants and examples
[edit]Famous examples include theBill EvansTrio withScott LaFaroon bass andPaul Motianon drums; and theVince Guaralditrio, featuring Fred Marshall andJerry Granelli.
Nat King Coleformed a piano/guitar/bass trio in 1937. This format was also used byArt Tatum,Lennie Tristano,Ahmad Jamal,Vince Guaraldi, andOscar Peterson.Tristano, Jamal, Guaraldi, and Peterson all later led trios with the traditional format of piano, bass, and drums.
Another variant is theorgan trio,comprising electricorgan(typically aHammondB-3), drums, and usuallyelectric guitar.Thebassistis excluded, and the organist instead plays thebasslinewith their left hand (on a keyboard) or their feet (on thebass pedalboard). OrganistsJimmy Smith,Richard "Groove" HomesandJack McDuffand guitaristsGrant GreenandWes Montgomeryare among the musicians who have worked in this format. The original line-up ofthe Tony Williams Lifetimefeatured Williams (drums);John McLaughlin(guitar); andLarry Young(organ).
Some other jazz trios include:
- Brad Mehldau Trio– Mehldau piano,Larry Grenadierbass andJeff Ballarddrums.
- Keith JarrettTrio – Jarrett piano,Gary Peacockbass andJack DeJohnettedrums.
- Mark Kramer Trio– Kramer piano, Gary Mazzaroppi/Eddie Gomezbass, and John Mosemann drums.
- The Bad Plus–Orrin Evans(formerlyEthan Iverson) piano,Reid Andersonbass, andDave Kingdrums.
- Medeski Martin & Woodoffers an organ trio variation whereby the guitarist is replaced by a bassist (Chris Wood).
- Marin Wasilewski Trio– Wasilewski piano, Slawomir Kurkiewicz bass, and Michal Miskiewicz drums.
Less common formats
[edit]As early as 1935,Benny Goodmanrecorded in a trio format, featuring himself (clarinet),Teddy Wilson(piano) andGene Krupa(drums). TheLester Young Trioof 1946 featuredYoungontenor sax,Nat King Coleon piano andBuddy Richon drums.
In 1948, pianist Herman Blount (later known asSun Ra) briefly played in a trio withColeman Hawkins(saxophone) andStuff Smith(violin), dispensing with a conventional rhythm section.Jimmy Giuffre's 1958 trio also lacked bass or drums, featuring Giuffre (saxophone and clarinet),Jim Hall(guitar) andBob Brookmeyeron valvetrombone.Giuffre's 1961 trio hadPaul Bleyon piano andSteve Swallowon bass. In 1986, Hall was involved in the Power of Three album; his fellow musicians wereWayne Shorter(saxophones) andMichel Petrucciani(piano). In the 1960s, saxophonistAnthony Braxtonled a trio featuringLeroy Jenkins(violin) andWadada Leo Smith(trumpet).
In 1949,Red Norvoformed a trio consisting of himself onvibraphone,plus guitar and bass; the best-known line-up featuredTal Farlowand a youngCharles Mingus.
In 1957, saxophonistSonny Rollinsrecorded the albumWay Out Westwith bassistRay Brownand drummerShelly Manne.Players who used this piano-less format in the 1960s includeOrnette Coleman(withDavid IzenzonandCharles Moffett);Albert Ayler(withGary PeacockandSunny Murray) andPeter Brötzmann(withPeter KowaldandSven-Ake Johansson).
The free jazz guitaristDerek Baileyplayed in a number of trios, including Joseph Holbrooke, with drummerTony OxleyandGavin Bryarson bass, and Iskra 1903, withBarry Guy(bass) andPaul Rutherford(trombone).
The early-80s groupCodonahad a line-up ofDon Cherry(trumpet) and two percussionists,Collin WalcottandNana Vasconcelos.
From the 1980s, drummerPaul Motianfrequently recorded in a trio withBill Frisell(guitar) andJoe Lovano(saxophone). Saxophonist and composerJohn Zornreleased recordings in a trio with Frisell andGeorge E. Lewisontrombone.
The 1990s trio Clusone 3 comprisedMichael Moore(sax/clarinet),Han Bennink(drums) andErnst Reijseger(cello). In the same decade, saxophonistJohn Lurieformed the John Lurie National Orchestra with drummer Grant Calvin Weston and percussionist Billy Martin.
In the 2000s and since, three members of theAssociation for the Advancement of Creative Musicians(AACM), pianistMuhal Richard Abrams,trombonistGeorge E. Lewisand saxophonistRoscoe Mitchell,have concertized and recorded together.