John Taylor Trio: Tramonto

Recorded live in Birmingham during a Contemporary Music Network tour in 2002, "Tramonto" features British pianist John Taylor (1942-2015) in a festive, exuberant mood with one of his most dynamic and quick-witted groups, consisting of US musicians Marc Johnson and Joey Baron - the energetic team who later collaborated on the critically acclaimed ECM recording "Rosslyn". The repertoire includes the well-known Taylor pieces "Pure and Simple", "Between Moons" and "Ambleside" (in an epic 15-minute version) as well as the title track composed by Ralph Towner and Steve Swallow's "Up Too Late", which moves from bop phrasing to free playing and features a bowed solo from Johnson and shimmering drums from Baron. Overall, a welcome reminder of what a creative force John Taylor could be as the leader of an outstanding piano trio.