The Jazz Exchange

It is interesting to see how jazz musicians reach new heights while maintaining a link to the past. Some of the most important and popular jazz musicians of recent years have achieved what they have by understanding and respecting history, while knowing the importance of progressiveness. Unlike a certain administration running (or ruining) this country. Take some of the popular and exquisite quintet records of Dave Douglas. The instrumentation mirrors that of the 1960’s Miles Davis quintets. And the addition of Bill Frisell’s guitar on Douglas’s “Strange Liberation” recalls the instrumentation of Miles’ “In A Silent Way” sessions which included John Mclaughlin. While these records are traditional in instrumentation, Douglas’ compositional style harmonically cuts to the edge of modernism. Additionally, pianist Brad Mehldau has given new meaning to the word “trio”. The concept of the piano trio in and of itself takes us back to the romantic days of Wynton Kelly and Bill Evans. However, Mehldau has re-invented that romanticism and rightfully titled a series of his records “The Art of the Trio”. In 2005, the Kaleidoscope trio began something deeply rooted in the traditional jazz sense. In 2008, they’ve given us something demonstrating their knowledge and appreciation for the great jazz trios of the past, updated by a unique take on an instrumentation usually remembered by the records of its practitioners predating 1960.

The Kaleidoscope trio began a steady bi-weekly gig at a hip sushi/mandarin restaurant in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. By hip I mean that the place actually has a grand piano! In the beginning, their style developed out of a love for the early Oscar Peterson “drummerless” trio records. The group played mostly American song book standards as well as songs by the great jazz composers. The resident pianist, Kevin Fort, eventually began bringing his original compositions to the gig. Over time, the trio broke from its hard swinging “four on the floor” rhythm guitar based style into a much freer, sharper, original sound, which is what we hear today with their debut recording.

The group, still in its original lineup with Fort at piano and fender rhodes, Kells Nollenberger on bass, and Dave Miller on guitar, has presented us with nine of Fort’s original compositions. The opener, “Horizon”, and the bossa nova, “Map to the Ocean”, welcome their good friend, tenor saxophonist Chris Madsen, as guest soloist. The second cut, “Rain”, begins a suite of four songs scattered throughout the sequence and includes the through-composed “Wind”, as well as “Snow” and “Heart”. “Neptune” demonstrates Fort’s ability as an arranger. Also an accomplished big band arranger, he gives “Neptune” dense counter point, an interlude and a shout chorus. “Holiday”, a Bill Evans-esque waltz includes both piano and bass solos reminiscent of the early Evans/Lafaro trio. The closer, “19th Century Photograph”, is perhaps Fort’s most perfect composition. It gives Miller an opportunity to demonstrate his superb ability to accompany a keyboardist. For young guitarists and keyboardists constantly fighting the battle over who should comp and when, here is your answer! During the second chorus of the guitar solo, Miller pushes the tonality of his improvisation by using colorful harmonic extensions in chord clusters.

These musicians have collectively come together to create something that is not easy to forget after even just one listen. You’ll take pleasure in not being able to get out of your head the fulfilling rhythmic foundation set up by Nollenberger’s bass playing, or the incredibly advanced knowledge of harmony expressed by Miller’s guitar solos. And the intelligence of Fort’s improvisations and compositions will remain in your musical thoughts, as they do in mine, long after you hear them.

Notes by Paul Brady

Credits:
Artist: Kaleidoscope Trio
Total Tracks: 9
Musicians:
Kevin Fort: Piano, Fender Rhodes
Kells Nollenberger: Double bass
Dave Miller: Guitar
Chris Madsen: Tenor Saxophone (Tracks 1 and 7)

Producer: Paul Brady and Kells Nollenberger
Recorded at: Spank Music and Sound Design
Engineer: Brian Bullard
Mixed at : Spank Music and Sound Design, Chicago IL.
Engineer: Brian Bullard

**** Special thanks to Todd Whitelock****

Mastered at: Spank Music and Sound Design
Mastering engineers: Brian Bullard and Joe Darnaby

Songwriters/Publishing
All songs written by Kevin Fort

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