John Patitucci was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., but spent his formative years in California. It was in L.A. that Patitucci became a go-to young guy on bass, and he worked with legends such as Stan Getz, Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, and Chick Corea. He played in Corea's famous "electric band" for a decade, then launched his solo career. "Tooch" has recorded more than a dozen albums as a leader.
Guitarist Larry Koonse is a native Californian. His dad, Dave Koonse, is a fine jazz guitarist who played with George Shearing. Larry Koonse studied music at USC and went on to work with John Dankworth, Billy Childs, and Mel Torme. Koonse played on the soundtrack to the film Crazy, about the country/jazz guitar pioneer Hank Garland, and he's a founding member of the Jazz Compass record label.
Brian Blade grew up in Shreveport, La., playing drums in his father's church. A move to New Orleans as a teenager brought him under patriarch Ellis Marsalis' wing. After soaking up the unique music and culture of the Crescent City, he formed the Brian Blade Fellowship, a jazz group featuring pedal-steel guitar and mandolin. He's also recorded with Joni Mitchell, Emmylou Harris, and Bob Dylan.
Patitucci says he loves the versatility and flexibility of this trio. Besides music by Sonny Rollins and Thelonious Monk, they perform Patitucci's transcription of "Intimate Impressions" by Frederico Mompou. Born in 1893 in Barcelona, Mompou composed for an instrument not in this trio — the piano.
Pattiucci's new CD, Rememberance, is out August 4.
Originally recorded Nov. 2, 2007, at the Kennedy Center Jazz Club in Washington, D.C.
Credits: Thanks to Kevin Struthers, director of jazz, and to Jean Thill of the Kennedy Center. Artistic director Dr. Billy Taylor. Our recording engineer is Greg Hartman, with Mark Barry and Sean Owen of Big Mo Recording. House sound by Mike Shoemaker. Surround Sound remix by technical director Duke Markos, assisted by Yujin Cha.
Copyright 2008 WBGO