Album Notes

Featuring the renowned rhythm section team of electric bassist Steve Swallow and drummer/percussionist Bob Moses. The Rome-based pianist/composer's 482 Music debut, and follow-up to his first two well-received recordings as a leader on Italy's legendary Soul Note label, continues his documentation of an increasingly personal sound forged by a penchant for memorable melodies as well as probing improvisation.
"This recording is about discovery," writes Burk in the liner notes. "The intent of the music on Nothing, Knowing, as a whole, is to facilitate a wide range of emotional, sonic and spiritual creativity. As I've discovered on previous recordings, this approach keeps me more open to the realm of discovery, more attuned to the moment. An improviser, I believe, should enjoy the challenge and joy of embracing different contexts for communicating in music. In the moments of discovery this process brings about, the world expands to infinity and the familiar becomes fascinating, returning us to the childlike state of knowing less and seeing more. This is the spirit I hope I have captured here."


"Without a doubt, one of the finest piano trio offerings I've heard in a long while." - Bruce Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery


"A lot of piano trio recordings are released every year, but for sheer scope and unencumbered interplay that magically retains a sense of lyricism throughout, Nothing, Knowing stands out from the rest: continued evidence that Burk, while still relatively young, has all the makings of a musical giant." - John Kelman, All About Jazz


"His interplay with his sidemen is nearly telepathic at times and they consistently shift musical directions and share thoughts together. Listeners who enjoy explorative and passionate jazz improvising will definitely want this outing." - Scott Yanow, All Music Guide


"The group improvising is stellar. Reminds me of African percussion ensembles. Everyone has the groove/line in their heads but none of them state it. They play around the implied theme/pulse. This is much harder to do with melodic music. A beautiful release." - Matthew Lavoie, Voice of America


"Burk and company indulge in their own unique creative whirlwind that straddles post-bop inventions and what might be termed avant-garde sound collages, all the while never losing touch with the strong melodic sense of song that runs throughout each of Burk's compositions." - Ice