Personnel: Lynne Arriale: piano; Jay Anderson: bass; Steve Davis: drums. Tracks: Iko Iko; Home; Braziliana; Arise; Come Together; Flamenco; Seven Steps to Heaven; Mountain of the Night; Bemsha Swing.

Lynne Arriale Trio “Live”
Motema Music

Recorded at the Burghausen Jazz Week last year, the Lynne Arriale Trio has released a gem on B’Jazz Records. Recorded “live”, in a space that lent itself to a quality recording, Arriale’s trio entertained a genuine and sincere audience through a program of inventive trio arrangements that makes this disc one of the best releases I’ve heard in the last year.

What becomes evident when listening to this trio, is they are a first rate chamber group, that listens well, and knows the others musical tendencies. The result is a series of musical events that are creative and imaginative. The group, which has been together since 1993, has a real feel and concept for each and every one their musical outcomes. Thus, many imaginative moments take place in concert, and judging by this audience, grabbing people’s attention and bringing a real “life” to live Jazz presentation.

Another thing that stands out on this release is the group’s ability to convey melodic music in modern adaptations. This is not only heard in Arriale’s compositions, but in the entire group and their approach to improvising. Even drummer Steve Davis comes up with inventive, percussive melodies which “fit” the concept of musical presentations. Thus, the trio has released a “concept” album, which makes their work stand above many jazz recordings in this day in age.

If you’re a fan of music that conveys melody, I believe you’ll enjoy some of Lynne’s compositions. For example, Braziliana, starts with a strong and energetic ostinato, which in turn becomes a inventive counter-line that is portrays a very hip groove. Flamenco is a beautiful harmonic minor melody which is haunting, yet beautiful. Home is a folk-like melody, in a straight-1/8th feel, that reminds the listener of life in mid-America. It has a Copland-esque quality to it, sensitive and beautiful. Arise is similar, and gives Arriale a chance for an emotional and musical statement that conveys beauty.

Her arrangements are a welcome addition as well. I just loved Come Together, the Lennon/McCartney composition. I’ve always felt harmony, when used effectively, is the enhancement to great melodies. In jazz, often times, it is the other way around. Here, Come Together is supported with a hip groove, set-up nicely by Davis. Then Arriale supports this melody so nicely with chords that bring a rich enhancement to the Lennon/McCartney composition. This is a very hip rendition, inventive and so creative.

The group responds well to Arriale’s ostinatos. On Victor Feldman’s Seven Steps to Heaven, Arriale introduces another ostinato, and surprised me by going into Seven Steps. Once the head is stated with a vibrant groove, the group falls into a free form-feel, with an apparent absence of time. By the return to the second chorus, the trio finds it’s way in to a medium swing feel. Then like a clock, the group moves up the metronome through a series of accelerated tempos that will remind some people of the Miles Davis interpretations in the 1960’s. The group plays each of the accelerated tempos together and in time with one another. It’s a joy to listen to. Seven Steps is then is capped off by a very musical solo by drummer Steve Davis. Very entertaining!!
This release is a very enjoyable listen Those who have read my reviews, know that I’m interested in recordings that display a variety of musical contrasts. I’m interested in music that will take me on a journey and that will grip my interest through a variety of musical expressions. This album does this and then some. What caps off the performance for me, is the trio’s dedication to beauty. In this day and age, it is becoming a more rare item to find musicians who express beauty with taste and elegance. This trio does this magnificently. I hope many will check out this fine effort by this wonderful trio!

For more information about the music of the Lynne Arriale trio, please visit: www.lynnearriale.com