Myra Melford

Returning to the trio formation which first brought her to the attention of the jazz community in the 1990s. Myra Melford makes a splash with her newest disc, as bassist Michael Formanek and percussionist Ches Smith make the same waves Lindsey Horner and Reggie Nicholson respectively did 30 years ago. Still, besides the configuration and strength of performance this trio is no way an update of the other. However another of Melford’s preoccupations – which she shares with other improvisers like Steve Lacy – is obvious. Her appreciation for the late Cy Twombly’s visual art, not only is reflected in the cover painting, but also in her 10 compositions’ titles.

Group dynamics here make more powerful sonic statements than solo visual creations though. Smith’s thick brush strokes provide a forceful backbeat and his vibraphone resonations add a palate of sound colors to Melford’s compositional and performing canvases. Meanwhile Formanek’s sometime arco, mostly pizzicato, lines serve the same purpose in the pianist’s artistic expression as scrawls and dribbles do to help a painter define sketches.

Deft rather than just delineated, Melford’s playing is never spidery or pastel. Instead her pressurized pace on “A Line with a Mind of its Own” and the introductory “Drift” features dynamic emphasis and methodical theme elaborations, perfectly synced with bass thumps and drum rumbles. Key and tempo changes figure into the expositions, with modulations never allowing substitution to overcome syncopation.

Like a group exhibition, space is also given to the other artists. On “Interlude I (To Dribble, To Smear, To Splash)” comprehensive metal bar vibrations and keyboard clips back Formanek’s sul tasto buzzes, while the control Smith shows with vibe coloration extends to his drumming. “Streaming” demonstrates how cymbal shakes and paradiddles project percussion variations at a speedier tempo than the pianist’s single note exposition developed in tandem with the bassist’s strokes. The three finally interlock for a profound percussive ending.

Visual artists’ creativity often arises in different media during their careers. Melford does similar work with compositions and group sizes. This return to improv power trio format is a notable milepost in her ongoing oeuvre.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Drift 2. Wayward Line 3. Interlude I (To Dribble, To Smear, To Splash) 4. Free Wheeler 5. Interlude II (To Erase, To Cover Up, To Utter, To Trace) 6. Streaming 7. A Line with a Mind of its Own 8. Interlude III (To Drip, To Draw, To Scribble, To Scrawl) 9. Dry Print For Twombly 10. Chalk

Personnel: Myra Melford (piano); Michael Formanek (bass) and Ches Smith (drums and vibraphone)