TRIO 3 FEAT. MARILYN CRISPELL at JAZZ STANDARD, nyc, FEB 22
photography by ©Clara Pereira / text by Filipe Freitas
Trio 3 is co-led by true ambassadors of the free/avant-garde jazz scene - saxist Oliver Lake, bassist Reggie Workman, and drummer Andrew Cyrille. From February 20 to 23, they performed at the Jazz Standard, inviting a different pianist each night to join them on the bandstand. On Saturday, it was the brilliant Marilyn Crispell who heavily contributed to the poetry and sophistication of the trio’s sharp avant-expressionism.
The jagged, noise-scarred point of departure of this first set was felt like a slow-motion earthquake that took the unguarded audience by surprise. This Workman-penned piece, “Synapse II”, was mounted with irresistible dynamics, comprising exploratory bass excavations, substantial yet irregularly ramified drumming, illuminated saxophone prayers, and pianistic intelligence to achieve a tremendous spiritual energy.
With bass and piano sharing an ostinato at the foundation, Lake’s “Rollin” denoted a distinct danceability as Cryrille kept infusing his off-center percussive chops with brightness. Crispell’s melodic construction caused a sensation and her catchy chordal work even more, so crammed with intervallic idiosyncrasies it was. Workman finished this piece alone, resolving it with a sturdy chord.
The following two pieces featured Lake pulling off out-of-the-box solos on the sopranino. The Eastern-tinged “Leaving East of Java” by pianist Adegoke Steve Colson was one of them. In addition to an increasing pace and chugging sounds evocative of a train in motion, Crispell gave it a certain cinematic touch through precise flows and textures.
After an extemporaneous piano-bass-drums trio moment, where Cyrille shone in a solo, Lake reappears on alto saxophone for the set closer. Boasting an often throaty tone, he articulates serpentine phrases containing pops and squeals for a deft rhythmic effect. The band walked out the bandstand leaving a sweet smell of swing and blues in the air. The audience was exhilarated. Joe Lovano, Dave Douglas, and Angelica Sanchez, among other known jazz artists, were spotted in the house.