TRIOS Version 3.0 by Gordon Johnson

0 features Giacomo Aula, Matthew Fries, Jon Weber and Benny Weinbeck. On drums are Jay Epstein, Steve Gadd, Phil Hey and Joe Pulice.

TRIOS Version 3.0 is the third in a series of piano trio recordings by Gordon Johnson. In 1994, Gordy and drummer Joe Pulice were working with pianist John R. Burr behind Maria Muldaur at the Dakota Jazz Club. The three cut the track "Face-lift" at Matthew Zimmerman's Wild Sound studio at Pulice's urging. The tune appeared on Gordon Johnson's TRIOS (IGMOD Records/1996), and started a ten-years-and-counting series of sessions. TRIOS V.2 (Tonalities) appeared in 2002. Among the players featured on the first two releases are pianists Jimmy Hamilton, Phil Markowitz, Bill Carrothers, Kenny Werner and Bobby Peterson, and drummers such as Peter Erskine, Gordy Knudtson and Joe Bonadio. While the variety of combos always bring the series to fresh territories, the intriguing thread of vision is undeniable. All throughout, Matthew Zimmerman's expert recording skills and Gordon Johnson's musical leadership drive the project. Other members of the team that have not changed are the piano at Wild Sound and Gordy's 1850's era upright bass!

As with the first two CDs, TRIOS Version 3.0 relies on a mixture of serendipity and plan. Whether in the studio or on stage, Gordy is on the watch for combinations of players to contribute to the series. Pianists Jon Weber, a Chicago-based giant, and Giacomo Aula, an Italian-raised resident of Berlin with a decidedly European style, caught Gordy's attention while they were performing at the Twin Cities Hot Summer Jazz Festival. In the case of Steve Gadd, Gordy had known the legendary drummer for years and arranged for a session when Gadd was in the Twin Cities on a James Taylor tour. Matthew Fries was headed to town on tour with Stacey Kent - Gordy considered that a high endorsement of the pianist and set up a session with Fries and drummer Phil Hey before the three had ever played a note together. From circumstance to song selection (including originals by Aula, Fries and Benny Weinbeck), each title on TRIOS Version 3.0 has its own story. What's more, each track tells its own story; Gordon Johnson-style.

__Pat Courtemanche

TRACKS, COMPOSERS & PLAYERS;

1. Mountain Flight - Toninho Horta

Jon Weber, piano - Joe Pulice, drums - Gordon Johnson, bass

2. The Best Thing For You - Irving Berlin

Matthew Fries, piano - Phil Hey, drums - Gordon Johnson, bass

3. Nobody Else But Me - Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein, II

Jon Weber, piano - Joe Pulice, drums - Gordon Johnson, bass

4. Zingaro - Antonio Carlos Jobim

Matthew Fries, piano - Phil Hey, drums - Gordon Johnson, bass

5. Samba De Flora - Benny Weinbeck

Benny Weinbeck, piano - Steve Gadd, drums - Gordon Johnson, bass

6. Orchid - Matthew Fries

Matthew Fries, piano - Phil Hey, drums - Gordon Johnson, bass

7. Let's Misbehave - Cole Porter

Jon Weber, piano - Joe Pulice, drums - Gordon Johnson, bass

8. Canzone Por Nino Rota - Giacomo Aula

Giacomo Aula, piano - Jay Epstein, drums - Gordon Johnson, bass

9. Jubilation - Julian "Junior" Mance

Matthew Fries, piano - Phil Hey, drums - Gordon Johnson, bass

10. Laughin' Blues - Benny Weinbeck

Benny Weinbeck, piano - Steve Gadd, drums - Gordon Johnson, bass

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