George Schuller Trio - Life's Little Dramas (2010)

George Schuller is one of those drummers who can drive a band with power and finesse, blending in to an ensemble in such a way that does not call undue attention to him but makes one realize how important he is to the music. Having seen him play in concert spaces and performance venues, his strength is that he listens, interacts and creates without missing a beat.

On the opening track, "Glass Notes", his interaction with pianist Dan Tepfer gives the piece its tension and release. While bassist Jeremy Stratton anchors the work, the piano and drums stretch, chase and play in an appealing way. That's the hallmark of the entire program - let the music breathe, dig deeply into the melodic, harmonic and rhythmic possibilities and never settle for the ordinary. There may be thousands of versions of Vernon Duke's "Autumn in New York" - here, the trio "swings" the standard with grace, a touch of the blues, extemporizing on the "changes" and only touching on the famous/recognizable melody near the end.
For a young pianist, Tepfer seemingly has no boundaries.

One hears touches of Keith Jarrett and Brad Mehldau on pieces such as "Apocalypso" (such fun) and "Salad Days" but faintly and without resorting to mannerisms or cliches. Schuller's "New Toon" allows the pianist space to develop the melody and expand the harmonies; he does so with fluid lines, two-handed melodic flourishes that move around the tempo and interact with the declarative drum work. It's easy to "get lost" in the
groove of "None Taken", the loping bass lines and the rising piano melody, driven by Schuller's insistent yet not intrusive percussion.

"Life's Little Dramas" is music that invites the listener in and does not let go until the final note. The interplay, the melodies, the dynamic rhythm section and the excellent work of Dan Tepfer will bring you back again and again.

Richard B. Kamins -Step Tempest Blog (January 15, 2011)



Track List:
01 - Glass Notes
02 - I Will Wait for You
03 - None Taken
04 - Apocalypso
05 - House of Blue Lime
06 - Autumn in New York
07 - Newtoon
08 - Salad Days
09 - Just in Time

George Schuller (d),
Dan Tepfer (p),
Jeremy Stratton (b)

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