BEN ALLISON TRIO

This cooperative trio is modeled after reed player/composer Jimmy Giuffre’s drummer less units of the 1950s and 60s.  Ben, Ted and Steve take turns arranging and composing for the ensemble, which has released three albums, Quiet Revolution (2018 Sonic Camera), Somewhere Else – West Side Story Songs (2019 Plastic Sax), and Healing Power – The Music of Carla Bley (2022 Sunnyside/Sonic Camera).

 

In the late 1950s, as jazz was becoming more expressionistic and at times bombastic, musicians like Giuffre and guitarist/composer Jim Hall were going in the opposite direction. They were envisioning quieter music that maintained elements of blues and folk, while also embracing the emerging qualities of free playing.  Against the backdrop of over 20 years of creative collaboration between Ben, Steve, and Ted this trio communicates on a very high level, effortlessly weaving musical conversations that are full of subtlety and surprise.

 

 

In a long career, bassist, composer, producer and educator Ben Allison has developed his own instantly identifiable sound, known for his inspired arrangements, inventive grooves and hummable melodies.  Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Ben has performed and collaborated with a stylistically diverse range of artists including Ara Dinkjian, Mamadou Diabate, Lee Konitz and Joe Lovano, to name a few.  He has appeared on over 100 albums by various artists.

 

Guitarist, composer and educator Steve Cardenas began his musical career in his hometown of Kansas City, he has been an integral part of the New York City jazz community since 1995.  Steve has performed and recorded with many well-known musicians such as Paul Motian, Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra, Steve Swallow, Joey Baron, Madeleine Peyroux, Eliane Elias, Norah Jones and many others.  Steve is a member of the John Patitucci Electric Guitar Quartet, Ben Allison Band, Jon Cowherd Mercy Project and Adam Nussbaum Lead Belly Project.

 

Multiple Grammy Award-winning saxophonist, composer Ted Nash enjoys an extraordinary career as a performer, conductor, composer, writer and educator.  Nash has an uncanny ability to mix freedom with substance, blues with intellect, and risk-taking with clarity.  Born in Los Angeles, Nash’s first gig came when he was sixteen, with Lionel Hampton and after with the Quincy Jones band, and the following year Nash had toured Europe, appeared on three records, and was performing with Don Ellis, Louie Bellson and Toshiko Akiyoshi, as well as leading his own quintet.  Nash came to New York at the age of eighteen and soon after released his first album as a leader. He was a member of the Gerry Mulligan Big Band, the National Jazz Ensemble, and the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra.

 

(Text by Ben Allison)