Among drummer and composer Charles Rumback’s numerous projects is a trio he leads with pianist Jim Baker and bassist John Tate, and it’s an association he must really value because their new release June Holiday is the third from this threesome since 2017. Rumback has also recorded separately with Baker and Tate.
Though the album is already up for sale, the video above is debuting in this space. The music that comes out of it is a superb example of why these guys have been getting together so often: they create some magic together.
The rolling thunder that underpins and constantly prods “Burning Daylight” points to Charles Rumback showing the influence of drummer’s drummers like Jerry Granelli and Paul Motian. A very pretty melody unspools from Baker’s piano in a song where everyone is playing free but tunefully.
The references to Motian and Granelli aren’t merely provoked by Rumback’s thoughtful drumming; this freedom within structure is a hallmark of Motian’s small ensemble recordings for ECM, and the lyrical quality of Baker finds some kinship with Granelli’s old leader Vince Guaraldi, but with more economy.
Nonetheless, the resulting distilled product is something entirely new. To cop a phrase from a recent bank marketing campaign, this is the piano trio, re-imagined.
June Holiday is now out and offered by Astral Spirits. Order one from Bandcamp.
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