THE PHOENIX TRIO

TOMORROW IS TODAY

Giant Step Arts

Mark Turner, tenor saxophone; Joe Martin, bass; Marcus Gilmore, drums.

Perhaps Mark Turner, the tenor saxophonist of The Phoenix Trio, explained their union best when he said:
“Three in one is a common relationship throughout human culture. …It comes up in religion, mysticism, the human life cycle, music, art, science, twelve-bar blues, 12 keys, primary colors, rhythm/melody/harmony.  Buddha/Dharma/Samgha, Father/Song/Holy ghost, Vishnu/Brahma/Shiva.  Three is the magic number to quote School House Rock. The Phoenix: rebirth, immortality, transformation.  In short, the ultimate creative entity,” Turner affirms.

Bassist Joe Martin opens the premier tune on this album with a bass groove and melodic riff that sets the time and tone. Marcus Gilmore crushes the cymbals beneath his entry and slaps the time into place locking hands with the bass. This tune was composed by Martin. Turner enters on tenor sax, singing the melody in his own creative way. There is an unexpected break in the tune that spotlights just bass and tenor sax for a several bars, before the drums return. It keeps the arrangement interesting.

The original Turner composition “1946” bursts into my listening room with a flurry of tenor sax bluster.  Turner blows his improvised solo into space, power packed like a high wind blowing across the desert.  His solo is hot!  It’s pushed ahead by the busy drums of Marcus Gilmore. When Joe Martin enters, he’s plucking his bass passionately to tell his own solo story.  This is followed by Marcus Gilmore, who takes several bars to show off his drum mastery It’s a powerful solo.

“Tomorrow is Today” was recorded in front of a ‘live’ audience at Brooklyn’s Ornithology Club. It was supported by engineer and producer, Jimmy Katz. Katz has been a part of more than 600 recording projects.  He’s also a photographer whose work has appeared on several magazine covers.  All of The Phoenix Trio music recorded was original and improvised.

“We just trusted the musical connection we have built over many years,” Turner shared in his press package.

There wasn’t much rehearsal for this Giant Step Arts innovative new series called “Modern Masters and New Horizons.” It’s curated by trumpeter, Jason Palmer and features artists who have helped shape the more modern jazz landscape, like this chord-less trio. All three of these musicians are competent composers. Each has contributed original music. Gilmore wrote “Harvest” that moves at a rapid speed, allowing him to shine on trap drums. He is also featured on the closing tune, “Safe” which opens with only percussion roaring into the room. The bass and sax play the melody in unison before the tenor creates a path of improvised music on his own.  This is another favorite tune and arrangement for me.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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