“Synergism” is defined as “the interaction of discrete agencies, agents, or conditions such that the total effect is greater than the sum of the individual effects.” You could hardly find a better musical illustration of the concept than The Off-Off Broadway Guide To Synergism, an expansive 3-CD project by the Tyshawn Sorey Trio + 1. Sorey’s Mesmerism was a gem of relaxed trio interaction. From that trio session, pianist Aaron Diehl is back on piano, Russell Hall replaces Matt Brewer on bass, and the “plus one” is alto saxophonist Greg Osby. The live format gives the band plenty of room to stretch out, and they take maximum advantage of the environment to deliver extended meditations on a remarkably wide variety of tunes. The band is burning from the start, with their 17 minute exploration of Night and Day. Diehl, perhaps best known for working with vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, performs with plenty of grit and a boundless imagination. Hall is a steady and responsive bassist in the ensembles and an impressive soloist. Sorey’s superb drumming “lifts the bandstand,” as Monk used to say. His fills and perfectly timed accents are continually feeding and directing the energy of his bandmates, with nary a drum solo in sight. Osby is in peak form, playing with fiery fluidity and grace. He contributes one original composition to the proceedings, Please Stand By. It was first heard on his Channel Three album (Blue Note, 2005), and touched on twice in the three sets. The balance of the repertoire is drawn from jazz composers as varied as Billy Strayhorn (Chelsea Bridge), Fats Waller (Jitterbug Waltz), Ornette Coleman (Mob Job, also played twice), Miles Davis (Solar), McCoy Tyner (Contemplation), and Andrew Hill (Ashes). Each disc also features at least a couple of long-familiar standards, touchstones for their collective improvisations. This includes Out of Nowhere, It Could Happen to You, and Three Little Words. The trio on Mesmerism liked to sneak up on melodies. This quartet operates in the same way, merely glancing at the melodies and using the underlying structure and harmony to build their impressive improvisations. An additional strategy, suited to the live performance situation. is the linkage of tunes into a flowing sequence of musical events. According to Sorey, there was hardly any discussion before they hit the stage. “All I suggested” says the drummer “was a starting point and an ending point, and wherever we went, we went.” The success of that approach depends on a deep well of songs and jazz compositions that they share, amply demonstrated here. From the occasional exclamations of encouragement and surprise we can hear coming from the bandstand, it’s readily apparent that the musicians are having a great time playing together. And of course, the enthusiastic audience contributes to the creative atmosphere. The home listener might be applauding the band as well; it’s that good. Definitely recommended.
Pi Recordings PI96; Greg Osby (as) Aaron Diehl (p) Russell Hall (b) Tyshawn Sorey (d); NYC, March 3-6, 2022; Disc 1 (76:29): Night and Day/ Please Stand By/ Chelsea Bridge/ Three Little Words/ Mob Job/ Ask Me Now. Disc 2 (75:50): Out of Nowhere/ Ashes/ Please Stand By/ Three Little Words/ Jitterbug Waltz/ Mob Job/ It Could Happen to You. Disc 3 (74:17): I Remember You/ We’ll Be Together Again/ Contemplation/ Out of Nowhere/ Solar/ Ask Me Now. pirecordings.com
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