by Mike Telin

“I’ve been listening to Mat (Maneri) for a long time…and I just really loved his playing,” drummer and composer Ches Smith (left in the photo) told us in a telephone conversation. “I’ve seen Craig (Taborn) around and like what he does, but when a gig opportunity came along to improvise with both of them, I jumped on it. And that led to all of this.” The “this” Smith is referring to is the Trio’s debut CD on the ECM label, The Bell. On Saturday, February 20 at 8:00 pm, the Smith, Taborn, Maneri trio will present a concert at Bop Stop featuring through-composed material from the album designed to stimulate open-ended improvisation. The concert is a co-production with New Ghosts.

Since drummer Ches Smith, pianist Craig Taborn, and violist Mat Maneri debuted as a trio during the 2014 New York Winter Jazzfest the three musicians have dedicated much of their professional careers to making the album. [Read more…]