Variations Trichotomy

• 1 Island Of The Sun 06:25
• 2 At The Right Moment 10:12
• 3 Branching Out 05:20
• 4 Start 07:09
• 5 Ascent 08:57
• 6 Variations On A Bad Day 07:36
• 7 Chunk 03:10
• 8 Please 05:16
• 9 The Unknown 06:30
• 10 Labyrinth 04:18
• Total Runtime 01:04:53

Info for Variations

'Variations' their third album, and the first to be released internationally, features a variety of melodic and rhythmic landscapes, with the relaxed structures of Foran and Parker's intimate songwriting decorated by the group's spontaneous musicality. The 'variations' come from the mood and texture created by the intuitive interplay between the three members of Trichotomy and the subtle balance between delicate textural explorations and vigorous driving pieces. They shift effortlessly from beautifully subtle ballads such as ‘Please' and ‘Ascent' to the densely ferocious ‘Chunk' (where Marchisella's bass sounds more like a distorted electric guitar), ‘The Unknown' whose disjointed rhythms sound completely natural, and ‘Variations on a bad day' which moves from single piano notes to dense polyrhythmic phrases in a fraction of a second.

Trichotomy's compelling, hugely dynamic trio music draws on the avant-rock of Radiohead, ECM minimalism and their love of improvisation in an entrancing Australian echo of the European jazz innovations of the likes of EST or Tord Gustavsen. Founded as Misinterprotato in 1999 when the three members met whilst studying at the Queensland Conservatorium, their unique sound is driven by award winning pianist Sean Foran, expansive, dynamic percussionist John Parker, and visceral double bassist Patrick Marchisella.

Inspired by a diverse range of influences from Aphex Twin to Vijay Iyer, and Tortoise to The Bad Plus, Trichotomy's music combines a dense rhythmic focus with the melodic clarity of a Pat Metheny, Brad Mehldau or Stravinsky and like fellow Australians The Necks, whom they cite as an early influence, there is a remarkable attention to detail and a desire to allow ideas to develop naturally within their music. A key focus is the balance between piano/bass/drums, with the trio maintaining a free flowing three way conversation with no one dominating and all contributing integral parts. Compositions often find a fine balance between heavily notated sections then completely free improvisations.

Sean Foran, Piano
John Parker, Drums
Pat Marchisella, Acoustic bass

Guests:
Christa Powell, Violin (track 4)
Bernard Hoey, Viola (track 4)
John Babbage, Alto Saxophone (track 4)
Peter Knight, Trumpet
Lawrence English, Electronics

'The players’ interaction is clairvoyant and fluent while exploring their collective communication.' (audaud.com)

'The Australian Trio turn velocity into momentum.... with throbbing abandon' (Allaboutjazz.com)

'Trichotomy are the essence of the jazz trio, they bring skill, creativity and a vision to their work. I count this CD among the best that I have come across in my continuing explorations' (jazzreview.com)

TRICHOTOMY are one of Australia’s most inventive contemporary music ensembles. So much more than a traditional jazz trio, this group expands the capacities of the classic piano/ bass/drums combination with elements of the avant-garde and a fresh attitude they bring to their music. Truly captivating for a variety of audiences, TRICHOTOMY skillfully blend dense, exciting improvisations and delicate atmospherics, conjuring up sounds of modern jazz, ambient music, avant-garde rock, free improvisation and contemporary classical music.

Formed as ‘Misinterprotato’ in 1999 while studying at the Queensland Conservatorium, the group’s sound is driven by award winning pianist Sean Foran, teamed with John Parker’s expansive dynamic and timbral range on percussion and Patrick Marchisella’s visceral touch on the double bass.

After 2 acclaimed albums released in their native Australia, ”Variations” their third album, was released on the British NAIM label in 2010. It features a variety of melodic and rhythmic landscapes, with the relaxed structures of Foran and Parker’s intimate songwriting decorated by the group’s spontaneous musicality. The 'variations' come from the mood and texture created by the intuitive interplay between the three members of Trichotomy and the subtle balance between delicate textural explorations and vigorous driving pieces. They shift effortlessly from beautifully subtle ballads such as ‘Please’ and ‘Ascent’ to the densely ferocious ‘Chunk’ (where Marchisella's bass sounds more like a distorted electric guitar), ‘The Unknown’ whose disjointed rhythms sound completely natural, and ‘Variations on a bad day’ which moves from single piano notes to dense polyrhythmic phrases in a fraction of a second.

Inspired by a diverse range of influences from Aphex Twin to Vijay Iyer, and Tortoise to The Bad Plus, Trichotomy’s music combines a dense rhythmic focus with the melodic clarity of a Pat Metheny, Brad Mehldau or Stravinsky and like fellow Australians The Necks, whom they cite as an early influence, there is a remarkable attention to detail and a desire to allow ideas to develop naturally within their music. A key focus is the balance between piano/bass/drums, with the trio maintaining a free flowing three way conversation with no one dominating and all contributing integral parts. Compositions often find a fine balance between heavily notated sections then completely free improvisations.

TRICHOTOMY have performed around Australia at the Wangaratta Jazz festival, Woodford Folk Festival and Melbourne International jazz Festival, Brisbane Jazz Festival, Valley Jazz Festival, and the Apollo Bay Festival, among others. Internationally the trio have also appeared at the Calgary International Jazz Festival Canada, the Kutchan Jazz Festival Japan, World Expo Japan and China, and toured Japan several times. In 2009 they were invited to showcase at the prestigious MIDEM music conference in Cannes, France and in 2010 toured the UK to wide critical acclaim.

In 2011 they release their new album “THE GENTLE WAR” on NAIM and follow this with a UK tour in February a performance at JAZZAHEAD Bremen in April & a Chinese tour in May.

Booklet for Variations