While the venue was not ideal for jazz music in terms of ambience and condition, in a state of disrepair, mostly steps instead of seats, I was certainly not disappointed by what I heard. The reunited trio (with a new CD/ LP release “Entity”) rattled through quite a selection of their repertoire in over two hours of shortish pieces including an encore. The music was a unique fusion of jazz, classical, a little funky at times, and even a touch of rock ‘n’ roll in Cowley’s occasional forays at either end of his piano. Cowley’s repartee with the full house was engaging, but it’s a pity that little was said about the source of the numbers that were played, particularly with respect to the new album, which, disappointingly did not seem to be on sale at the venue. Double bassist Rex Horan provided an equally engaging focal point with his flowing hair and long pointed beard, looking and playing like a musical wizard, his dexterity and deft touch using the full span of his instrument. His synergy with a tight drummer in Evan Jenkins and a pianist who could be very percussive but whose occasional wild piano explorations always returned to melodies, some of which were very beautiful indeed, provided a bedrock for a unique take on jazz fusion.
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