Eskelin/Parkins/Black in D.C. and Baltimore

[Clay Fink]

I caught the trio in DC on Friday (with Gordon B., John L., Fred K. and Bluenoter) and on Saturday night in Baltimore. I'll give the Baltimore show the edge since I could hear everyone a bit better than at the Twins show in DC. Either way, though, this is a great trio and it may be one of the best and most creative working bands around today. The group manages to integrate the best parts of european free improv, e.a.i and downtown NYC. They can play music that's immediately accessable (like 43 RPM or It's a Samba) and music that sounds like soething that John Butcher would do. Ellery is a monster tenor player and Jim Black is great to watch and full of suprises. Andrea Parkins really gives this group its unique sound. This was one of the most musical examples live electroinics that I've heard and she gets a great, almost B-3 sound out of the keyboard set-up she uses. She's also a great accordian player, all accordian jokes aside. I've never seen anyone get feedback out of the instrument.

I wish I could really do them justice with my words. Maybe some of our more articulate posters could chime in.

The tune 5-corners and the suite from Imaginary Views were two of my favorites from the Baltimore show. 43 rpm kicked ass.

A tight band with a fully realized sound, seasoned and well rehersed. These were two of the most satisfying shows I have seen in a while. A lot of the success here may come from this being a long-lived working group. I've had the same reaction to other working units like the Dave Holland Quintet, the Steve Lacy Trio, the AEC, etc. .

[Gordon B]

I agree with everything Clay said about the band. The accordian and sampler aren't gimmicks. Rather, they are the means that allow Parkins to express the sounds she hears. The songs and the solos take surprising but very musical detours. All three musicians are very creative and as Clay said, the years of playing together comes through. The best reason to see them live as opposed to just listening to them on record is to see Jim Black and watch him interact with Eskelin and Parkins.

[Fred K]

I second Clay and Gordon's enthusiasm for the DC show. I was less familiar with Ellery's music than Clay or Gordon. I suppose I just wasn't sure where to begin (which CD to buy) or if some of the music would be to "out" for me. I thought I would like the show, but it was much more than I expected. The songs were amazing -- a mix of free improvisation and memorable melodies. The band sounded great together -- sometimes closer to a rock band than a jazz trio. It was difficult to decide who watch. I had the best view of Andrea (luckily enough). She was able to get some amazing sounds from her accordion and keyboard set-up. It was interesting to watch her keep time to herself. I was able to know where "four" was for most of the songs. Jim Black is obviously a virtuoso drummer and I also found him to be surprisingly lyrical. And all Ellery's choices seemed to be the right ones. He's lyrical free player who's not afraid to stick to a simple melody. My favorite songs were the recent ones from Arcanum Moderne -- For No Reason, 43 RPM, and It's a Samba -- but there were no weak spots the entire night. A great show from Eskelin/Parkins/Black.