Joe Davidian Trio proves traditional – and original
CD Review
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Joe Davidian Trio's "Silent Fire" |
Toolbox
By Art Edelstein Arts Correspondent - Published: August 15, 2008
Montpelier's gift to jazz piano, Joe Davidian, has matured into a superb musician and composer whose work has already graced several albums. Recently, he was the accompanist to Stowe-based singer Taryn Noelle, but his most recent work is with bassist Jamie Ousley and drummer Austin McMahon. Together, the Joe Davidian Trio has released "Silent Fire," a fine new jazz recording of mostly original musical along with the Harburg/Arlen classic "Over the Rainbow" and John Lennon's "Imagine."
This CD showcases three up-and-coming jazz musicians whose music is lyrical and accessible. This is not an album of bebop jazz, or experimental atonal music. The rhythms here are relaxed, as Ousley and McMahon maintain a solid but understated attack.
The title track, "Silent Fire," is a 10-minute exploration of each instrument's capabilities and here the beat has more of a bounce than on other tracks. Mostly, we have nearly an hour's worth of lovely piano and sensitive bass and drums.
The trio was formed in Miami in 2003 as an outgrowth of the prestigious University of Miami Concert Jazz Band. The trio members, each with a master's degree in jazz performance, apparently made an instant musical connection in their approach to playing standards and originals by performing regularly at various Miami venues.
As a unit they have performed at several festivals including Festival Miami and the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, and recently headlined the Ballydehob International Jazz in Ireland in May.
These three young musicians (each in his 20s) have already backed several of today's top jazz artists, including Dave Liebman, Carmen Lundy, Bob Mintzer, Greg Abate and Ira Sullivan.
Jazz reviewer John Gilbert writes that Davidian "exudes warmth in his playing as evidenced in his rendition of 'Over the Rainbow.' This tune is, in my opinion, the hallmark of this recording. The changes are truly magnificent and the melody is brought forth brightly. Harburg and Arlen would be pleased."
That same reviewer writes: "Joe Davidian has an interesting concept in his solo which drives and swings to the max. … This trio has developed a style that is unique yet manages to be interesting in the format they have chosen. There is no meat left on the musical bone in this recording."
It has been nice to watch Davidian grow from a gifted high-schooler into a local phenom and now an emerging national and international talent. With Ousley and McMahon he has found two musical partners with similar jazz sensibilities. This trio is young yet surprising sophisticated. By remaining faithful to the melodic standards-based style of jazz, while writing interesting music of their own, they are developing a style that is more accessible to the majority of audiences.
This is good album for those unfamiliar with piano jazz trios to cut their teeth on.
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