{"id":3489,"date":"2014-01-01T22:21:10","date_gmt":"2014-01-01T22:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jazzusa.com\/ron-surace-trio-city\/"},"modified":"2011-01-01T22:21:10","modified_gmt":"2011-01-01T22:21:10","slug":"ron-surace-trio-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jazzusa.com\/?p=3489","title":{"rendered":"Ron Surace – Trio City"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"RonRon Surace
<\/font> Trio City
<\/font> (Southport – 2001)
by John Barrett<\/font><\/p>\n

\tHe’s a classically-trained composer who usually works in larger ensembles – so this time they put him in a jazz trio playing standards. Ron Surace has always loved the trio format, and here he explores it his own way: “Speak Low” is given acres of silence, and Tatsu Aoki states part of the theme with his bass. Surace is lush, but not too flashy; his chords turn a light blue, as Dave Pavkovic drums a little samba. Bell-like notes open “I Fall in Love Too Easily”, which lead to lengthy sidetracks along the contours of the tune. Ron varies the theme a little, then varies that variation … and it gets more complex from there. These excursions are fun, and also warm. <\/p>\n

Aoki is active on “Exactly Like You”, saying the punchline at the end of each phrase. The solo goes to Pavkovic, with brushes as his only weapons – quite an atmospheric effort. “Sweet Lorraine” is low-key and lovely; “Star Eyes” starts on a Sam Jones-like riff from Aoki and a somber rendition from Ron. His harmonies are harsh, even jarring at times; the solo is sweet, but the eerie mood prevails. “The Touch of Your Lips” has rhythmic chords surrounded by empty space (good idea, but it sounds a bit hesitant) and “Chelsea Bridge” is the sound of a foggy night: cloudy chords, heavy sustain, and short bluesy jabs. With a sound between Duke and the boogie men, this “Bridge” is a great place to be. <\/p>\n

There’s a whiff of the restless spirit in “Come Rain or Come Shine”. Ron races or crawls as he sees fit – only rarely does he bother with the theme. Tatsu and Dave keep to a steady march, regardless of what Surace is doing; it’s interesting, though not quite essential. “Suddenly” skips along nicely, helped by a forceful left hand; it’s followed by a lush “I Only Have Eyes for You”, which strides slow and leaps fast. “Jazz Ballad” (the lone original) is full of that cocktail mood: a gentle melody, a leisurely piano, and big, big chords. The whole group struts on “Nothing Changes My Love”, with Dave getting in some good brushwork. While the sound of this trio is a little different, it’s a “different” anyone can understand … and enjoy. <\/font><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

<\/body><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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