Confusing Motion for Progress is another live keepsake from drummer extraordinaire Jeff Cosgrove, who acquits himself well every time he’s in a concert setting improvising alongside some of the best of the best when playing highly instinctual, advanced jazz. In the past, Cosgrove has led luminaries like William Parker, Matthew Shipp, Ivo Perelman, Jeff Lederer and John Medeski. Now, he joins forces with stars of the next generation with saxophonist Noah Preminger and bassist Kim Cass.
Though recorded in front of an audience, the sonics are pristine and devoid of crowd noise; it’s as if it were performed in a library. Actually, it was: the Rust Library in Leesburg, VA.
“AT” is a wonderful sax showcase from Preminger, backed by the lithely swinging Cass/Cosgrove unit. Where other drummers might be tempted to come down heavy in such a situation, Cosgrove complements the sax with craft use of cymbals and snare. Cass also goes down the road less taken by nestling in the medium-to-high range of his bass, helping the drummer put together a light but nimble backing.
“Off-Handed Invitation” is a lazily sauntering blues that briefly devolves into a Preminger/Cass freeform moment which uncovers the locked-in rapport the two have developed over time; their own duet album came forth just a few months before this collaboration with Cosgrove.
“Jumbles” sees Preminger floating over the ever-mutating rhythm from Cosgrove and Cass somehow managing to bind drums to saxophone. When Cosgrove takes a solo during this song, the strong connection to his hero Paul Motian shows, using finesse over brute force. He also starts off “Fingers” alone, his cymbals ringing in an almost drone-like resonance, but when Preminger enters with his monster chops, drums and bass instantly adjust to his whims.
“Everyday Language” is likely a group improvisation, with Preminger offering opening thoughts that lead into spurts of galloping swing punctuated by interludes of thoughtful individual expression by Cass and Cosgrove.
“Ghost” offers a meditative mood as a counterweight to the often-lively musical conversations. On this occasion, Cass’s deliberative and circumspect manner whether in lead or support role shapes this meditative song. The somber mood continues for the first couple of minutes into “Slips,” picks up tempo and then Cass leaves behind his best bass aside of the occasion.
Sax/bass/drums get-togethers offer some of the purest articulations of the jazz language because of the freedom offered by the absence of chords, making the intuitive reciprocity between the musicians more manifest. Confusing Motion for Progress has even more going for it, not just because Jeff Cosgrove, Noah Preminger and Kim Cass are excellent practitioners of the form, but because they create enough space between them to each be heard without having to be overbearing.
Get Confusing Motion for Progress now from Bandcamp.
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