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Pat Bianchi Trio: A Higher Standard

By Dan Bilawsky
August 4, 2015
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Fiery displays, lyrical expressions, bluesy statements, punchy interludes, torrential downpours of notes, and space-conscious thoughts all come to the surface on this well-crafted trio date from rising star organist Pat Bianchi.

While Bianchi has drawn a lot of attention for his sideman work with such high profile artists as saxophone legend

Lou Donaldson

saxophone
1926 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Lou Donaldson, guitar great

Pat Martino

guitar
1944 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Martino, and heavy-hitter drummer

Ralph Peterson

drums
1962 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Ralph Peterson, he has plenty to say when he's in the driver seat. Here, joined by two regulars in the organ trio world—guitarist

Craig Ebner

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Craig Ebner, who's played with organists

Tony Monaco

organ, Hammond B3
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Monaco and

Joey DeFrancesco

organ, Hammond B3
1971 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Joey DeFrancesco, and

Byron Landham

drums
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Byron Landham, DeFrancesco's drummer of choice for more than two decades—Bianchi demonstrates that he's both a tradition-minded player and a risk-taker. He's not afraid to go at the music head-on, but he's also willing to peak into the outer limits from time to time, inspiring his band mates to do the same.

Bianchi and company swing in low gear on a

Horace Silver

piano
1928 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Silver favorite ("Blue Silver"), work contemplative angles ("Some Other Time"), move full steam ahead with fire ("Bohemia After Dark"), lightly prance and waltz on a

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans standard ("Very Early"), crank the tempo and throw a metric twist into a

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane classic ("Satellite"), and lay it down on a backbeat-driven, album-ending

Stevie Wonder

vocals
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Stevie Wonder cover ("From The Bottom Of My Heart"). Across this entire program, Bianchi's many gifts come to the surface, Ebner's rounded sound and pointed delivery make a mark, and Landham's class and strength drive the music onward. This is one real-deal trio and it only takes one listen to this album to realize why Bianchi has become such a sought-after organist.

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Track Listing

Without A Song; Blue Silver; So Many Stars; The Will Of Landham; Some Other Time; Bohemia After Dark; Very Early; Satellite; Blues Minus One.

Personnel

Pat Bianchi

organ, Hammond B3

Pat Bianchi: organ; Craig Ebner: guitar; Byron Landham: drums.

Album information

Title: A Higher Standard | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Self Produced

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