Album Notes

Reed's Bass Drum is a collective focused on composing music as dialogue for baritone saxophone, bass and drums. "I originally organized the trio as a workshop for compositions that simultaneously embraced the spectral range of baritone saxophone and bass as the primary melodic instruments, and existed as melodies that transcended the trio sound and became collective musical statements," says baritone saxophonist and composer Jonah Parzen-Johnson. "Reed's Bass Drum explores the trio format both as a way to place the bass and baritone saxophone comfortably in center stage and as a method of drawing from a tradition of melodically interested uninhibited improvisers."

The influence of trios led by Fred Anderson, Sonny Rollins, Joe Lovano, and Fly is implicitly referenced in the work the trio produces. However, the defining use of baritone saxophone as the central melodic voice and the ever present intuitive dialogue between the members of the trio has contributed to a musical persona that is all their own.

“By the time we got to the final writing stage of Which is Which we were writing tunes for each other more than for specific instruments,” offers bassist Noah Garabedian. Which is Which, the trio’s first full-length release, is a collection of pieces that exist as events performed by a single multifaceted voice. “We have always added a certain sound to the way we play the melodies of our tunes. Even when they have different vibes, they all sound like us,” adds drummer Aaron Ewing. This diligent work pays off in the effortless performance of compositions that seem to be tailored to the ensemble and that glow with one collective personality. With Which is Which Reed’s Bass Drum presents a groundbreaking re-viewing of the baritone saxophone trio, and polished presentation of compositional dialogues.