THE PAUL CARLON TRIO

BETWEEN US THREE

Truth Revolution Recording Collective

Paul Carlon, tenor saxophone; Chembo Corniel, percussion; Alex Ayala, bass.

When Paul Carlon got the call to put a trio together for a regular brunch gig at a restaurant called Papasito on Dyckman street in upper Manhattan, that spurred him to call Chembo Corniel on percussion and Alex Ayala on bass. That gig stretched for a year and a half.  Back in 2017, they released their first album.  This was followed by touring and developing their completely unique trio concept.

“I wanted to focus on my own original material plus some choice covers from both the jazz and Latin Traditions,” explained Paul Carlon in his liner notes.

They open with a spirited Latin song, propelled by Chembo Corniel’s percussion magic, titled “Anabacoa.”  The first thing that caught my ear was the similarity of this tune to Wes Montgomery’s hit record, “Tequila.”   However, Puerto Rican composer and trumpeter, Juan Ramirez Rivera wrote this tune before 1949.  It made me wonder if the popular jazz guitarist, Wes Montgomery, had been inspired by this wonderful Rivera composition.

Paul Carlon began playing cello in the fourth grade.  However, by fifth grade he had discovered the saxophone.  As life would have it, he earned a degree in English Literature from Cornell University.  Then, to the surprise of friends and family, he moved to New York City and leaped headfirst into the metropolitan thriving jazz scene. He became a musician! By the late 1990s, Carlon was working with two Afro-Cuban jazz groups.  In the 2000’s, he was working with bassist Harvie S’s Quintet and acted as musical director of the Ileana Santamaria Orchestra

Track 2 on this inspired album continues to explore Carlon’s journey and to display his composer skills.  His tenor sax introduces us to the melody and bass of Alex Ayala, who improvises wildly over the changes.  All the while, the tune is pushed ahead by the exciting percussion of Chembo Corniel.

They present a beautiful arrangement of Wayne Shorter’s “Infant Eyes.”  However, Carlon’s original compositions shine just as brightly. He has written six out of ten tunes. “Espejos” quickly becomes another favorite of this journalist. Also, “Papasito Rides Again” is a tune full of spirit and happiness. It will make you want to mambo or cha-cha-cha across the room.

The distinctive sound of the Paul Carlon Trio endears them to me.  It’s a clean, uncluttered presentation of melody and rhythm that leans towards the Latin side of jazz. At the same time, il competently interprets any jazz standard with their unique chord-less trio approach.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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