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The David Arner Trio: Out/In The Open

By Jerry D'Souza
December 1, 2009
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David Arner

piano
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">David Arner has built a reputation as an innovative pianist and a proponent of spontaneous composition. He filters both skills into his music and adds a healthy dose of surprise through changes in tempo, dynamics and harmony, weaving one into the other with facile dexterity. His ability to shape progression has led to associations with other creative forces like

Tomas Ulrich

cello
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Tomas Ulrich,

Dom Minasi

guitar
1943 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Dom Minasi,

Susie Ibarra

percussion
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Susie Ibarra and

Dominic Duval

bass
1945 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Dominic Duval. He also has collaborated with his compatriots on this record,

Michael Bisio

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Bisio (bass) and

Jay Rosen

drums
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Jay Rosen (drums), both in concert and on the CD Porgy & Bess Act 1 (CIMP, 2009).

Bisio has had an intersting carrer, first playing classical music with the Seattle Symphony and the Northwest Chamber Orchestra before he found jazz in the 1980s. From then on, it was a journey filled with adventure into the unknown. Unafraid of risk, Bisio has been called to share the musical lore of

Charles Gayle

saxophone
1939 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Charles Gayle,

John Tchicai

saxophone
1936 - 2012

" data-original-title="" title="">John Tchicai,

Joe McPhee

woodwinds
b.1939

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe McPhee and

Diedre Murray

cello

" data-original-title="" title="">Diedre Murray, among others.

Inspired by

Tony Williams

drums
1945 - 1997

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Williams to play the drums, Rosen became seriously involved with jazz after hearing

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker. A colorful drummer, he filters his innate sense of rhythm and time into the veins of a tune, giving it a pulsating presence.

Arner, Bisio and Rosen have an inherent immediacy. Reading each other perfectly, they develop ideas with cohesion and a committed passion. Four of the six selections—"Double Nature," "Swirl," "Mr. MB" and "A Take On It All"—are spontaneous improvisations, liberating each from the strictures of composition and opening the door to some arresting developments.

Bisio's scraggly bass is the take-off for "Double Nature." Arner and Rosen prowl, converse, interlock and bring in an introspective mood. The character of the track changes as Arner develops a melody of flowing sweetness that is countered by Bisio's arching bow. It is soon a riptide set up by the percussive hammer of the piano, the shimmer of the cymbals and the rolling of the bass. Ideas are fermented and brought to fruition at a furious pace. It is all brilliantly conceived and resolved.

Arner's "Intensities Opus 56" drives the adjective. The thrust is forceful, but it is not without an underlying emotion. Arner roils and rumbles, his two-handed approach balanced between attack and modulation. The tapestry is splashed by the shifting timbre of Bisio's arco and the percussive touches from Rosen before the final riot of color, as Arner lets the tempo surge and seethe.

"My Romance" is given a warm reading. The melody flows into the open arms of improvisation, rippling in the becoming presence of Arner's resplendent piano. It's a beautiful finale to an album that holds several magical moments.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Double Nature; Swirl; Mr. MB; Intensities Opus 56; A Take On It All; My Romance.

Personnel

David Arner

piano

David Arner: piano; Michael Bisio: bass; Jay Rosen: percussion.

Album information

Title: Out/In The Open | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Not Two Records

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