This four-track EP is not what I normally expect from Iapetus Media, but I certainly see why Markus Reuter has been pleased to release it. Here have a trio comprising Diego Piñera (drums), John Patitucci (bass, double bass) and David Kikoski (piano). The idea was for Diego to meet with two of his musical heroes (Patitucci was a collaborator of Chick Corea, while Kikoski is renowned for his work with Roy Haynes, the Mingus Big Band and others) to record two songs, one being “Evidence” by Thelonious Monk and an original of Diego’s, but they were having so much fun they recorded two improvised pieces as well. This was the first time they had all met, and there were no rehearsals, just musicians bouncing off each other and understanding what part each of them had to play.
Recorded in a single session, this is a highly melodic set of pieces, and it is incredible to realise this is not a trio who had been working together onstage and then going into the studio, and that not all of these tracks had been scored. There is something special about jazz musicians which means they all have a real sense of music knowledge sadly missing from many genres, but just because they know what should happen next rarely means that is what they are going to play, as they are on the same journey of discovery as the rest of this. This EP is wonderfully fresh and light, with space being a very important fourth member of the band, as each of the trio knows when it is time to play, and when it is better to not. I am fortunate to hear a lot of jazz, the only music played in my house when I was young and certainly hope to hear more from this trio as it is bright and refreshing.
Rating: 8/10
Links:
https://www.diegopinera.com/
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