Gigslutz Focus On POST-JAZZ: The piano trio breaks bad

What drives like rock, punches like pop, looks like jazz, is wrought like classical and has a punk-like attitude to boot? It’s the post-jazz piano trio: part genre, part format, a musical synthesis of all and sundry some 20 years in the making and still without a label. Yet it’s one of the most thrilling instrumental forms of music to date. Big names include the Esbjörn Svensson Trio (EST), The Bad Plus and the Neil Cowley Trio with many more on the way.

Described variously as post jazz, rock jazz, ‘jazz for those who don’t like jazz’, whatever you call it, it ain’t jazz. This music doesn’t swing and there’s scarcely a jazz standard in sight. Amen. Instead, it garners influences from across the board and leaves the trio format bursting at the seams. What you can expect:

–          rock’s pulsing rhythms, pounding power chords and a piano which growls rather than sings;

–          pop’s catchy riffs, hooks and possibly verse/chorus form;

–          the wit and colour of jazz;

–          the rigour of classical;

–          an extended emotional range beyond pop’s binary  “I love and want to sleep with you” and “You broke my heart and it hurts”.

In short, think of Stravinsky in a mosh pit vying with Monk for the affections of Madonna.

Each of the big names leaves their stamp on the genre. The Bad Plus, from the States, makes the avant-garde palatable for the first time in history. The Neil Cowley Trio showcases an unbeatable British lyricism. EST, sadly no longer, was unparalleled in continental grace. Over the coming months we’ll look more closely at the music, the bands and the albums which shape post-jazz and the piano trio.

Enjoy and a warm welcome to all.

Ghofur Woodruff

Ghofur Woodruff

Ghofur Woodruff

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