Michael Dessen Trio, Resonating Abstractions

In the aftermath of the passing of the master of new jazz, Ornette Coleman, we experience an example of the pianoless avant jazz ensemble, something in many ways Ornette institutionalized, though Rollins and Mulligen prefigured.

It's a matter of trombone, acoustic bass and drums today, in the example of the Michael Dessen Trio and their album Resonating Abstractions (Clean Feed 291). Michael prevails on the trombone and electronics, Christopher Tordini plays an out-front acoustic bass, and Dan Weiss gives us some very inventive drums.

It is a seven-part suite composed by Michael especially for this trio. There are intricate composed figurations that act as guideposts throughout, and serve as springboards for free improvisations of an advanced kind. Dessen's electronics seem generally to be activated by his trombone playing and in a very real sense give us a second set of timbral colors from the front line.

So Dessen comes forward in three important ways and sets the definition for what happens on the suite via compositions, trombone prowess and electronic manipulations. Tordini and Weiss have a huge impact on the outcome, though, with what they do inside and outside the compositional structures. The end result is very contemporary avant trio work that includes new music abstract elements along with "post-jazz" improvisational brilliance.

It's one of those recordings where one finds more and more to appreciate as one listens repeatedly. The trombone work is examplary, the trio as a whole fully integrated and advanced, the bass and drumming in the front ranks of innovation and the compositional structures definitive.

It all works very well as a total aesthetic statement. Michael Dessen takes us to a very good place. Highly recommended.

Dan Weiss, Ace Drummer and Indo-American Conceptualist

Dan Weiss came up the other day as the drummer on Rez Abbasi's new CD (see my other blog www.gapplegate.com/musicalblog.html, September 8th entry). We go back a couple of years today to the Dan Weiss Trio CD Now Yes When (Toneofapitch). The band assembled for this recording consists of Mr. Weiss on drums, Jacob Sacks, piano, and Thomas Morgan, bass. There are also a couple of hip trombonists added on one cut.

Now first of all I must say that this set of music exhibits a certain rigor. It's a rather breathtaking jaunt into territory occupied by the subtle influence of Indian classical music on a very modern acoustic amalgam of advanced post-bop jazz and fusion. Every cut follows its own internal logic with determination, so much so that my first listen gave me pause. I didn't quite know what to make of it. Several listens later, though, I began to get it. It's that kind of music.

There is plenty of evidence of Mr. Weiss the master drummer and interesting composer. He has great control of his drum sound and executes all kinds of rhythmic complexities with a sureness that is impressive. His bandmates devote much of their effort in realizing Dan's musical vision, but they also show great feel, improvisational chops of a singular order and solid musicianship. Like that old Blue Note album, Tony Williams' first Lifetime record, it shows that some of the best drummers bring to the table a wide view of what their music is about, and it is about much more than playing great "time" or inventive soloing.

This CD breaks some new ground. I would recommend it to anyone who responds to music that is rhythmically profound, melodically-harmonically complex, and thoroughly absorbing in a somewhat cerebral way.