Fab Trio

Joe Fonda • bass |

Barry Altschul • drums

The Fonda-Altschul-Bang, or FAB, Trio was founded in 2003 and Live in Amsterdam is their fourth release (and second this year, paired with A Night in Paris on Marge), recorded live at the Bimhuis. The joining of violin, bass, and drums is a collusion of sounds that harks back to the beginning of loft-era jazz, having its roots in the Revolutionary Ensemble (which was composed of violinist Leroy Jenkins, bassist Sirone and drummer Jerome Cooper). But one can't fairly compare the two beyond a choice of instrumentation, for Bang inhabits an area more akin to the twin poles of post-Bartok classical music and swirling between-the-knees Indian violin playing than the blues-Trane of Jenkins. "Fabmusic Opening" finds shimmering staccato bounce ricocheting off ruddy long string tones, Fonda's tenacious, buzzing pluck providing the drone that Bang's dusky weave seems to require. Altschul is a force as always, his chattering ba-be a carpet of suspended swing, especially as he goads Fonda's pizzicato into strummed waves and maniacal interdigital phrases. When Bang enters again seven minutes in, he's a triple-stopped whorl of flying horsehairs and arcing shouts. A stop-time march emerges, Altschul's snare and woodblocks darting and snapping at Bang's sharp phrases as Fonda maintains a tense lope. The lengthy closer, "Fabmusic Continuation/Spirits Entering," returns to taut counterpoint, woodblocks and cymbals in a clambering dance with violin strum and ponticello wisps. Bang's nipping scrabble soon builds into longer phrases with reed-biting tenacity, floating atop dry, simmering swing. Beautiful, telepathic, and despite some exigencies with the live recording quality, stands as a powerful testament to the FAB Trio's music.

Discography:

"live in Amsterdam" (Porter records 2009)