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Pandelis Karayorgis Trio: Cocoon

By Mark Corroto
July 25, 2013
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With so many projects in the works, where is one to begin in a survey of pianist Pandelis Karayorgis? The Boston-based educator (born in Athens, Greece) is a member of The Whammies (featuring

Han Bennink

drums
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Han Bennink), a sextet formed with Driff Records partner Jorrit Dijkstra to cover the music of

Steve Lacy

saxophone, soprano
1934 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Lacy. He also maintains a Chicago Quintet with

Dave Rempis

saxophone
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Rempis,

Keefe Jackson

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Keefe Jackson,

Nate McBride

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Nate McBride, and

Frank Rosaly

drums
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Rosaly, and is a member of System of 5, Construction Party, and the

Guillermo Gregorio

clarinet

" data-original-title="" title="">Guillermo Gregorio/Pandelis Karayorgis/

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Swell Trio.

Perhaps the best introduction to his sound is in this trio. Karayorgis has led several variations of a classic jazz trio, first his collaboration with

Nate McBride

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Nate McBride and

Randy Peterson

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Peterson, then MI3, with McBride and

Curt Newton

drums
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Curt Newton. The machination of the trio concept on Cocoon teams finds him with bassist Jef Charland and drummer

Luther Gray

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Luther Gray. With respect to his other trios, this one is the best yet.

Karayorgis' music is a blotter for the music of

Herbie Nichols

piano
1919 - 1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Nichols,

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk, and

Andrew Hill

piano
1931 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Andrew Hill. Like these skilled innovators, the signature on these compositions (six out of ten here) is his explanation of swing. The pianist combines the playfulness of

Alexander von Schlippenbach

piano
b.1938

" data-original-title="" title="">Alexander von Schlippenbach with the physicality of

Don Pullen

piano
1941 - 1995

" data-original-title="" title="">Don Pullen to create a slightly unbalanced sound. His self-spun approach on "You Took My Coffee And Left" pairs a stylish swing with a galloping right hand full of notes. With a rhythm section eager to swing along, Karayorgis is free to fly. "Sideways Glance" could easily be mistaken for a Monkian meditation, employing an off-kilter groove to showcase what critics once called "wrong notes," when played by Monk.

Charland and Gray are disposed to the same approach. They can tinker with a time signature, as on "Jabberwocky," or extend the conversation. On "Red," a tromp of a blues, Charland maintains his end of the conversation, with Gray sliding remarks in between. Each piece presented here is a unique take on surreptitious swing.

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Track Listing

Cocoon; Downed; Idiosynchronicity; You Took My Coffee And Left; Sideways Glance; Settling; Red; Hopscotch; Jabberwocky; Incandescent.

Personnel

Pandelis Karayorgis

piano

Pandelis Karayorgis: piano; Jef Charland: bass; Luther Gray: drums.

Album information

Title: Cocoon | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Driff Records

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