When most people think about a jazz performance, they naturally think about the vocalist. A great singer has a way of drawing audiences into the music through lyrics and storytelling. But some of our favorite moments happen when it's just the three of us on stage.
Instrumental jazz has its own way of telling a story.
Without a single lyric, an instrumental can create excitement, nostalgia, anticipation, or reflection. It asks the listener to experience the music a little differently. Rather than following the words, the audience follows the melody, the rhythm, and the conversation happening between the musicians.
As a jazz trio, we enjoy those moments every bit as much as performing with our outstanding guest vocalists. They remind us why we've continued playing together for so many years.
It All Starts with a Great Melody
Every memorable instrumental begins with a melody worth listening to.
Some songs were written specifically as instrumental jazz pieces, while others began with lyrics before finding new life without a vocalist. Regardless of where they started, the melody has to be strong enough to stand on its own.
A great melody gives the trio something to explore.
Sometimes we'll stay close to the original arrangement. Other times we'll allow the music to develop naturally as the performance unfolds. The audience may recognize the tune immediately, but the journey from beginning to end can be a little different every time we play it.
That is one of the things we enjoy most about instrumental jazz. Familiar music always leaves room for something unexpected.
Every Musician Helps Tell the Story
One of the things that makes a jazz trio unique is that every musician plays an important role in shaping the performance.
Jim Owens often introduces the melody on piano, setting the tone for the piece while listening closely to how the music develops around him. The piano may carry the main theme, but it also responds to everything happening within the trio.
Willem von Hombracht does much more than provide the foundation on bass. His lines create movement, support the harmony, and often become another melodic voice within the performance. A thoughtful bass line can completely change the feel of a familiar tune.
Bradley Currey brings energy, texture, and momentum from behind the drum set. Sometimes that means driving the music forward. Other times it means showing remarkable restraint, allowing the music to breathe before gently guiding it in a new direction.
No one is simply accompanying someone else.
Each musician is helping tell the story, and that story continues evolving from the first note to the last.
Improvisation Keeps the Music Alive
One of the defining characteristics of instrumental jazz is improvisation.
People sometimes imagine improvisation as musicians simply making things up on the spot, but there is much more to it than that. At its best, improvisation is another way of telling the story of the song.
It is never about playing the most notes or showing off technical ability.
Instead, it is about listening.
Jim may discover a new phrase that wasn't there the last time we performed the piece. Willem may answer with a different bass line that changes the direction of the conversation. Bradley may alter the feel with a subtle rhythmic idea that inspires everyone else to respond.
Those moments cannot be planned months in advance.
They happen because everyone on stage is paying attention to one another.
Even after performing the same instrumental many times over the years, there is always the possibility that something new will happen. That sense of discovery keeps the music fresh for us, and we hope it does the same for our audiences.
Listening Is Just as Important as Playing
One of the things audiences may not always notice is just how much listening takes place during an instrumental performance.
There are moments when a glance across the stage says everything that needs to be said.
Sometimes it's a slight change in dynamics. Sometimes it's a longer pause than usual. Sometimes it's simply recognizing that another musician has an idea worth following.
Those moments of communication are part of what makes live instrumental jazz so rewarding.
Just as importantly, experienced musicians understand that not every moment needs to be filled with sound.
Leaving space can be every bit as important as playing another note.
That space allows melodies to breathe, solos to develop naturally, and each member of the trio an opportunity to contribute something meaningful to the performance.
Hear It for Yourself
One of the things we enjoy about our Coffee Concerts is the opportunity to share both vocal performances and instrumental jazz with our audiences. While our guest vocalists are certainly the stars of many of these mornings, the trio also has the chance to step into the spotlight.
We often open a concert with an instrumental, and you'll usually hear another one or two woven throughout the program. They offer a different kind of listening experience and give Jim, Willem, and Bradley the opportunity to explore the music together as a trio.
Even during performances with our guest vocalists, you'll hear each member of the band step forward for an improvised solo from time to time. Those moments are never exactly the same twice, and they are some of the things we look forward to most each time we perform.
If you've never paid close attention to the instrumental selections during one of our concerts, we hope you will the next time you join us. You may find yourself listening a little differently, noticing the musical conversation taking place between the piano, bass, and drums, and discovering another side of what makes live instrumental jazz so enjoyable.
If you'd like to experience Confluence Jazz live, we invite you to join us for one of our upcoming Coffee Concerts at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. To see where we'll be performing next, visit our full show calendar.
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If you're planning a concert series, private event, fundraiser, corporate gathering, or special celebration and would like live jazz for your event, we'd love to hear from you. Visit our booking page to learn more about bringing Confluence Jazz to your next event.