This exciting trio plays in Austin for the first time with three of the most notable musicians in New York’s vibrant creative music scene—drummer Ches Smith (John Zorn, Tim Berne, Marc Ribot, Terry Riley), pianist Craig Taborn (Chris Potter, Dave Douglas, Wadada Leo Smith, Dave Holland), and violist Mat Maneri (Marilyn Crispell, Paul Motian).

As Ches describes it himself: “An improvising trio that plays compositions as well; THE BELL is just that, Craig, Mat and I playing my pieces I wrote for the group.”

“The best thing I caught all weekend,” said critic Peter Margasak of the 2014 New York Winter Jazzfest, “was a superb trio led by drummer Ches Smith with pianist Craig Taborn and violist Mat Maneri, which expertly infused seductively narcotic writing with a mixture of brooding melody and rich texture.”

Since that NY debut, the trio has become a priority project for all participants, and in June 2015 Smith, Taborn, and Maneri recorded The Bell at Avatar Studios with Manfred Eicher as producer.

Ches Smith’s first album as a leader for ECM follows appearances for the label with Tim Berne’s Snakeoil and with Robin Williamson. Smith has worked with a very wide range of music in his career, playing with musicians from Marc Ribot to Terry Riley to Wadada Leo Smith, and his own groups have been informed by his far-reaching experience.

“His first album as a composer and bandleader on the iconic ECM label burns with a subtle heat.” (Pitchfork)

“For Smith, THE BELL was not meant to be the stepping off point for a new group but rather a one-time impromptu session. However, after he, Maneri and Taborn played live in New York, Smith realized he an opportunity to create something more lasting with this exceptional group. His written compositions are intentionally kept minimal so as to let the improvisations take center stage. The trio responds to this approach with an appealingly patient mix of empty spaces, complex phrasing and textures that play in the moment and with an organic feeling.”
(Karl Ackermann, allaboutjazz)
FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE
GUARDIAN,COM review

Epistrophy Arts is supported by individual contributions and by the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division of the Economic Development Department.