COMPOSERS: Jörg Brinkmann Trio
LABELS: ACT
ALBUM TITLE: Ha!
WORKS: Assorted.
PERFORMER: Jörg Brinkmann Trio
Jörg Brinkmann (cello), Oliver Maas (piano), Dirk-Peter Kölsch (drums)
CATALOGUE NO: ACT 9662-2
Brinkmann’s group, though led by a cellist, represents a further chapter in the revivification of the piano trio. The always fascinating, often beautiful compositions inventively explore the textural and technical potential of this combination of instruments, drawing on influences from the Viennese waltz to reggae. The ways the musicians realise these pieces also reflect their varied CVs: Brinkmann taught in Wuppertal and at the University of Witten-Herdecke, and has played with Herb Robertson, Frank Gratkowski, Michael Vatcher and Michiel Braam; Maas studied classical piano then attended workshops with distinguished jazz-orientated players such as John Taylor, Julian Joseph, Uri Caine, Gunter Hampel and Leszek Mozdzer; percussionist and master of ‘objects’ Kölsch has worked with multinational bands at festivals all over Africa and in Canada, Europe and Asia as well providing music for theatre, radio and films. Together they work as an exemplary unit. This would get ‘four-and-a-half’ if we did half stars! Highly commended. Barry Witherden.