(Modern Creative, Improvisation, Contemporary Jazz) Tyson Naylor Trio - Kosmonauten - 2012 [Songlines], WEB, FLAC (tracks), lossless

After three years on the Berlin scene broadening his horizons, returning Vancouver native Tyson Naylor put together a local trio that really clicked and took it into the studio for his long-overdue debut recording, with the brilliant Vancouver clarinetist François Houle guesting on two tracks. Kosmonauten is a diverse but ultimately unifying record that well displays the group’s strengths – great rapport across a range of styles and grooves, from stompin’, jazzed-up rock’n’roll to free improv; writing that taps into a rich vein of lyricism; and a playful yet at the same time highly communicative focus that somehow sets it apart from a lot of modern jazz. Even if you might pick out influences or references, from Wayne Horvitz to Abdullah Ibrahim to Misha Mengelberg, there’s nothing second-hand about this music. It seems to want to engage the listener in a personal dialogue that’s grounded in its changing moods, from tender and introspective to intense and celebratory, but is ultimately about things beyond music.
Perhaps part of this has to do with Tyson’s eclectic musical activities and interests. In Vancouver he’s played keys and/or accordion in various folk groups, and since his return in indie bands such as Kenton Loewen’s The Crackling and feted west coast singer-songwriter Dan Mangan’s band. “At school, as I was one of the few keyboard players in a sea of guitars, I was asked to play in soul bands, folk bands, funk bands, and ended up spending a lot of my time figuring out how not to play so ‘jazzy’ all of the time. I was never a huge fan of virtuosity for its own sake, particularly in jazz, and trying to play folk and rock demanded a different kind of subtlety and sparsity that many jazz pianists don’t necessarily appreciate or value. I think the importance of the notes not being played, of space, and of patience continue to influence my playing and my music in all styles.”
Other aspects of the music relate to his time in Berlin: “Berlin has so much to offer, culturally, and there is a spirit of creativity and an anything-goes attitude that I think make it a very unique place. I immersed myself in improvised music while I was there, and was very fortunate to get to play with some incredible musicians and really lovely people. I was particularly thrilled at the chance to play with Toby Delius and Tristan Honsinger, as I’ve long been a huge fan of ICP Orchestra….I’ve always been drawn to improv and the freedom that it offers, but I’ve always gravitated to music that retains strong rhythmic and melodic motives. Misha Mengelberg’s concept of Instant Composition has always appealed to me, and when I improvise I always try to use repetition, tension and release much the same way as if I were composing on the spot. And when I do compose, trying to mix set parts and improvised parts, I want it to sound organic, perhaps ambiguous – that the improvised space is a logical extension of the composed material, and vice versa. What I really appreciate about Mengelberg and other Dutch musicians is their playfulness and no-fear approach, a patience and a willingness to see a melodic idea through right to the end, whether it’s a ballad, a joke, or a joke ballad. It’s always emotive in some way.”
Tyson’s bandmates currently play together in three other west coast groups: Aeroplane Trio (with JP Carter) and Tony Wilson’s 6tet and Longhand. Skye Brooks is also well known as one of Fond of Tigers’ two drummers and a member of Inhabitants, as well as performing/recording with Veda Hille, Ndidi Onukwulu and Orkestra Futura. He also composes, sings and plays guitar in his rock band Copilots.

Lyrical cohesion amidst ambiguous chaos while maintaining emotional dept. The debut release from Vancouver's Tyson Naylor's Trio runs far deeper than the typical piano trio. Joining the trio on two tunes is the Vancouver clarinetest Fracois Houle who adds an organic color that helps transform this all ready formidable trio with an added layer of texture pushing the boundaries of the typical piano trio.
Naylor honed his skills for three years in Germany and fully immersing himself into Berlin culture. Upon returning Naylor assembled a trio that seemed to mesh from the very beginning. What is more commonly thought of when a piano trio is mentioned is an accomplished artist that does a riff on some standards that have been essentially played out.
Not here.
Kosmonauten is a diverse sound scape that runs from a variety of styles from stompin' to free jazz which for many is an acquired taste. When Naylor and his trio decide to walk the free jazz tightrope there is a constant sense of urgency to their playing. Working without a harmonic net sounds natural and the listener will in all likelyhood never find themselves lost in a self indulgent sonic exploratory that leads nowhere. "Paolo Conte" is somewhat more free form with an emotional charged harmonic flow. Russell Sholberg's mysterious sounding bass solo adds to a delightful sonic depth of field while the nuances of drummer Skye Brooks act as the musical binder of this eclectic piece while Naylor works this tune and allows a natural development to occur within the work of each ensemble member. "Adrift" is the more creative free form but dialed down just a touch with the finesse of drummer Skye Brooks moving center stage. The odd metered and syncopated Naylor is still on the edge of the free jazz cliff without pushing the listener over the edge. The use of the melodica by Naylor is another captivating use of simple texture as Kosmonauten develops a unique sonic pulse. "Leaves" is an introspective ballad where Naylor sense of melody and lyrical soul shine brightest. Far from the typical piano trio, Kosmonauten embodies everything good about modern jazz piano and where the trio ensemble should be heading. Maturity, depth and texture have this release on point through every tune.
Having reviewed countless piano trios with most falling into the good yet tired category, the Tyson Naylor Trio is a dynamic young trio and Kosmonauten immediately goes in the memorable pile along with 5 huge stars!