The Pocket Trio
Something Borrowed, Something Blue
★★★★★
If this album were a proposal, I’d be wed. It is a celebration of three songstresses and a delightful male voice, wrapped in a woven acoustic that is so very alluring.
No mere piano trio, The Pocket Trio: pianist and composer Andrew Scott, drummer Tim Geldens and bassist Max Alduca, might describe themselves as feel-good New York jazz, but they bring finesse that buoys the singers to excellence, while retaining their own presence. Sometimes playful, often simply nurturing, but always on cue and setting a high standard the singers embrace.
There is a pair of songs – one bluesy original and one re-enlivened borrowed jazz classic – from each, showing off the seductive Tilly Street, the effortless charm of Kate Wadey, the Latin energy of Monica Trapaga and the Connick-like charisma of Edo Santoni. There are Gershwin, Rodgers and Mingus, with a touch of Joni Mitchell, all sounding as though the songs are fresh off the pen.
The original tracks, composed by Scott with each singer, show a deep collaboration. In each piece the Trio floats the singer in an enmeshed melody and the singer gives space for the musicians; the partnership completely paired. In a really neat last track the Trio splashes around unsung, with some feel-good rhythms.
Can you choose a favourite track? No way. The original tunes feel as though they have the heritage of a jazz standard; the borrowed tunes have a fresh life that would make the original musicians sit up and say wow! This is clever and engaging jazz. Play it and be in their presence.
Keith Pettigrew
Emergent Jazz
The Pocket Trio will play the Camelot Lounge, Marrickville on Thursday 12 February at 7.30pm
and Evergreen in Brookvale on Saturday 21 February at 7pm.
Click HERE for more information.