Description
The Chris Poulsen Trio is an intensely energetic jazz/fusion combo. Since forming in 2004,
the group has released three full-length albums, and performed to enthusiastic audiences at
events such as the Nepal Jazz Jatra (Kathmandu), Palmer St Jazz festival (Townsville),
Queensland Music Festival, Valley Jazz festival, Parachute Festival (New Zealand) and the
Australian Gospel Music festival, as well as residencies in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley. With
an exciting, animated stage presence and an openness to spontaneous improvisation, the
group performs their original tunes, and some re-worked jazz standards. Though only an
instrumental three piece, their music is full of dynamic colour, adventurous aggression and
lots of fun, appealing to a wide range of listeners.
Chris Poulsen - Fender Rhodes;
Jeremy O'Connor - Acoustic and Electric Bass;
Trent Bryson-Dean - Drums.
Biography
In March 2004, drummer Trent Bryson-Dean sat in on a gig with a jazz band called Scat. He
was very quickly impressed with the playing of Chris Poulsen (Fender Rhodes) that day and
vowed to Chris and bassist Jeremy O’Connor that he would book a gig for the trio as soon as
he possibly could.
True to his word, Trent was able to secure a gig at the Brisbane Powerhouse five months
later in August. (With great wisdom he chose to name the group Chris Poulsen Trio rather
than name the group after himself – a mere drummer!) The gig proved to be a great success,
was recorded by the band and a four track ep of the show was released for sale at gigs. “I
don’t know if the guys believed me when I said that I would book us a gig, but nevertheless
we were all very excited by the obvious chemistry and interplay that was going on! We knew
that we had become a band and that we had started to play the music that was closest to
each of our hearts.”
It just so happened that a gentleman from another venue was at the Powerhouse gig that
night and in the coming weeks he contacted the trio about further gigs. Since then CP3 have
been playing regularly at the Press club, Ric’s Bar and the Bowery. During this time the trio
had written an album worth of original tunes which they recorded in February 2005 and
released as their full-length debut entitled, ‘Tang!’ in mid-March.
Two years later, they returned to the studio to record "Common Senses", released in 2007.
After touring this album in Australia and internationally, the trio knew it was now time for a
live album. Something that would really capture the vibrancy and excitement of playing to an
audience. This new album feautures some new original tunes, as well as older trio repertior
which has developed much further from the initial studio performances. Capturing the
positive vibe at the live gig, this new album "Up Sets" features two energetic sets of playful
jazz/fusion - one disc for each set. There's everything from fast swing, grooves in odd time,
and hammond soul, even some eastern influences. Though quite varied and dynamic, the
trio's original tunes (and one standard) all remain pretty 'up' beat throughout.
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