Simplicity. The word expresses what this recording is all about. Three is an homage to the great trumpeter Chet Baker and his trio from the late 1970s, which included Doug Raney on guitar and Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass. By channeling the power of simplicity from those landmark recordings, Brian Swartz's trio infuses life into the concept of interpreting standards.
For his trio, the Los Angeles based trumpeter chose two world-class sidemen: Larry Koonse on guitar and Darek Oles on bass. Displaying both mastery of their respective instruments and strong interdependence, the musicians explore fresh, fluid ideas while maintaining a granite-like foundation of tempo and feel. To put it succinctly, THEY SWING!
Interspersed throughout the recording are four of Swartz's original compositions. His songs are highly personal in nature, and the trio performs them with intensity, subtlety, and a strikingly poignant depth of feeling. On every track, Three presents honest, unselfish performances that merit repeated listenings by not only the casual listener but the jazz aficionado as well.
Swartz's recording evokes a time when simple, elegant statements carried more weight than a multitude of notes or sky-high volume. Simplicity is the singular force that drives Three
Three is available at all of your favorite online CD buying and download sites (Amazon, iTunes and emusic.com). Don't miss this vibrant new recording.
For more information contact All About Jazz.