Classy! Bill Cunliffe: Trio

by George W. Harris • February 18, 2021

It’s almost impossible to think up a stronger trio than the one Grammy winning pianist composer Bill Cunliffe has put together for this album. Always lyrical and melodic with a perfect sense of swing, he brings together two of the finest in bassist John Patitucci and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, both who grew up together, and you can hear the benefits of a long standing symbiotic relationship. All three of these gents have resumes that are encyclopedic, so to get them all together is a real treat-don’t expect any gigs, but if there is one, GO!

With a band of this high of a standard, the only question is what the repertoire will be, and it’s a good one. The team is buoyant on George Shearing’s “Conception” with Colaiuta waking everyone up at the intro with some snazzy stick work. Cunliffe delves into the film noir with a long shadowed read of “Laura” before the team turns down the highway for some classic covers, such as a sizzling take on Patitucci’s employers  Wayne Shorter’s “Anna Maria”  and a glowing take of Chick Corea’s “The One Step”.

Colaiuta cracks the whip like Walter Brennan on a cattle drive on “7 Steps to Heaven” while the three engage in a three way Mensa conversation on “My Shining Hour” and a brilliant re-think of Thelonious Monk’s spherical “We See” before closing out with a “Just In Time” that is as graceful as Fred and Ginger. This is how music is supposed to be played!