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Peter Paulsen Trio: A Few Thoughts

By Karl Ackermann
December 31, 2015
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Bassist and composer Peter Paulsen is not reticent in his willingness to quote the bible. He specifically cites Matthew 13: 31-32 in stating an approach to creating music rooted in observation and execution through improvisation, communication and impulsiveness. He references a line regarding the mustard seed, saying it is..."the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree...." In that vein, we have A Few Thoughts, Paulsen's trio outing of covers and original tunes.

Paulsen's background in visual arts and music eventually led to his role as a teacher of double bass and jazz studies at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. He simultaneously performs with his own jazz quintet, the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, Allentown Symphony Orchestra and the Spoleto Festival Orchestra in Spoleto, Italy. His dedication to the musical education of youth led to his participation in master classes with saxophonist Gunnar Mossblad, the late

Clark Terry

trumpet
1920 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Clark Terry and Russian trumpeter Valery Ponamerov.

The young pianist Tim Brey holds a recent degree in Jazz Piano from Temple University and he serves as the music director of the Philadelphia-based Jazz It Up Productions, an up and coming organization helping keep live jazz alive in that city's neighborhoods . Brey has worked with some local greats like bassist

Mike Boone

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Boone, the eclectic vocalist

Joanna Pascale

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Joanna Pascale and trumpeter/educator

Terell Stafford

trumpet
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Terell Stafford. Drummer and Cuban native Fran?ois Zayas played with the National Symphonic Orchestra of Cuba for ten years and thanks to his simultaneous pursuit of jazz, landed a recent gig with saxophonist

Steve Coleman

saxophone, alto
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Coleman.

A Few Thoughts contains two

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans numbers, the familiar "Time Remembered" and lesser known "Comrade Conrad." Two Paulsen originals, a

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea composition,

Cole Porter

composer / conductor
1891 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Cole Porter and Francis Hopkinson (who happens to be a signer of the Declaration of Independence!) round out the program. Given the dominance of more time-travelled compositions on the CD, it wouldn't be a stretch to assume a generic piano trio outing but that's not at all the case.

Paulsen's arrangements put melody first and his strong sense of harmonic structure opens the door to some fine improvisations. A Few Thoughts is filled with musically solid grooves and excellent contributions from the players. Brey is an especially gifted pianist and accompanied by Paulsen and Zayas, the groups makes these old tunes fresh and modern. Both the covers and original compositions are satisfying and energetic.

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Track Listing

Time Remembered; Slow Poke; So In Love; Beneath a Weeping Willow��s Shade; Waltz for Dave; Comrade Conrad; Third Time.

Personnel

Peter Paulsen

bass, acoustic

Peter Paulsen: bass, composer, arranger; Tim Brey: piano; Francois Zayas: percussion.

Album information

Title: A Few Thoughts | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Self Produced

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