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John Patitucci Trio: Live In Europe

By Mike Jurkovic
October 11, 2022
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Bassist/composer/arranger John Patitucci's intensive sessionography is so vast and amplified by just a smattering of the names he has brought to his triple A+ game to—

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

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

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter,

Norah Jones

piano
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Norah Jones,

Monty Alexander

piano
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">Monty Alexander, Warren Zevon,

Lynne Arriale

piano
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Lynne Arriale,

" data-original-title="" title="">Connie Han—it is rather easy to forget what a true monster he is on both electric and double bass when he spearheads out on his own. Live In Europe is a quick reminder.

Available on streaming platforms only (folks at Patitucci HQ might want to rethink that) Live In Europe jumps from the gate with a crackling energy that never lets up. Onstage alongside the deft impressionism of

Chris Potter

saxophone, tenor
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Potter's sax and the ever reliable and remarkable

Brian Blade

drums
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Brian Blade on drums, "Echoes of Scarlatti: In Memory of Chick Corea" (based on a Scarlatti Sonata in D minor), celebrates not only the late keyboardist's love of the classical composer but also the joy both men shared improvising on the master in both Corea's Elektric and Akoustic Bands. Blade whispers in behind the bassist's lyrical meditation while Potter, sporting the exotic flair he plays with throughout this set, counterpoints and tandems. But this quiet, transcendent beginning steamrolls right into the high-octane funk of "Mali" (from Remembrance, Concord Jazz, 2009) and Live In Europe becomes something else all together. A rush of forward movement and thinking with each team member taking the helm to steer the piece through its many ecstatic convolutions. It is a first class jam beyond a shadow of a doubt.

One of the bassist's newer compositions, "Three Pieces of Glass" comes to life on the strength and Potter's long, emotive, piercing lines over a syncopated stop start rhythm pattern.

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker's jumping "Visa" jumps even higher here as the trio takes this personal perennial favorite to the bop bank and beyond with a whirlwind performance. Another burning, first class jam, Patitucci pops and marvels, Blade spontaneously combusts and you can almost feel Potter biting at the bit to get into the fray during their solos. Closing with a nod to

Sonny Rollins

saxophone
b.1930

" data-original-title="" title="">Sonny Rollins, an animated Potter powers the trio's percolating take on the standard "Without A Song." A great listenening experience.

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Track Listing

Echoes of Scarlatti: In Memory of Chick Corea; Mali; Out West; Three Pieces of Glass; Visa; Without a Song.

Personnel

John Patitucci

bass

Brian Blade

drums

Chris Potter

saxophone, tenor

Album information

Title: Live In Europe | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Three Faces Records

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