matt mcmahon trio

2 of this trio have been seen many times before
matt mcmahon one of the most respected pianists around
simon barker would have to be the drummer's drummer
unknown jono brown completing the trio on standup bass
they're at the excelsior hotel on this tuesday night doing the late set
a respectful audience in both numbers and attitude in attendance
matt mcmahon in charge of his trusty rhodes electric piano
looking every part of it's 70's vintage - and that at a guess
he leads off with a gentle noodling of the keys
a very distinctive hybrid sound that defines this trio
halfway between an acoustic piano sound and full-on electronica
not a sound my ears are particularly tuned to in normal circumstances
but this player deserves respect whatever the instrument
over on percussion simon barker is also sneaking in
the gentlest of taps and scrapes on cymbals his early contribution
at back of stage jono brown also gently adding the bass line
the lack of melody and sheet music suggesting full improvisation
happy about that as the early signs are that it will work here
there's not much eye contact as the players zone into the sound
simon barker particularly quickly seen locking into the moment
taking up his usual eye-closed, head-turning, body-swinging motions
keeping away from drums and providing unique percussion
his side-on position at front of stage making him dominant
it's only a couple of minutes into it that i am also locked in
ready to go along with this fine sound they have generated
another example of expert musicians combining expertly
producing a balanced and integrated sound that is quite unique
the opening piece is then closed out with some warm applause
and surprisingly matt mcmahon announces it as a composition
he then introduces 'unaustralian of the year' last heard played solo
impressively then on a beautiful yamaha c7 grand piano
tonight it's unrecognisable and only slightly less appealing
the rhodes keyboard sound dominating in this tune
with all 3 musicians now well settled in and enjoying the moment
setting the scene for the rest of the tunes in their set
jono brown does all he can to avoid the spotlight
happy instead it seems to work in a smooth bass sound
leaving the 2 musicians at front of stage to dominate
my impression being that there is a great rapport on stage
that infuses the music with an essential binding element
this confirmed by matt mcmahon introducing his close friends
the audience well into it and demanding an encore
one call for another cole porter tune that surprised me
mainly because it came from another local jazz contemporary
the trio finishing their set with a slow and gentle ballad
a reminder of how close this kind of outfit is to disarray
but confidence and skills overriding any chance of that
instead providing a perfect bookend to an hour of fine music
and then a wander out into the warm air of the night
all thoughts of bushfires, etc banished from the head
ah....the power of music once again to the rescue