Album Notes

First hand viewing in the immediacy of performance brings with it a special value. You are there in the audience, with the moment and internalizing every nuance and shadow as the music floods the room with sound. It is almost as good as being there. For the Russo Alberts Trio, this DVD captures the first live performance in a major concert venue. The story behind this concert and the events leading up to the band’s debut is an interesting one. In the weeks before, during the month of February 2007, there was much preparation and discussion regarding the music and the song format and the ensuing improvisations. The new version or direction in becoming what it is now, the current Russo Alberts Trio, has been a meticulous and steady evolution. With the addition of Art Lewis, the widely experienced and heralded drummer, the band was propelled quickly forward. New material was easily stylized and interpreted with a fresh vitality and it built a confidence that held no challenge too great. Within that vigorous setting the group flourished, there was a visible and obvious direction, something previously lacking. Early in January, following a week at the IAJE convention in New York City the band agreed on a recording date to be set as soon as possible. February 27 was the earliest date available. The rehearsals that followed that commitment were clear and productive. We had our sound, we had our songs, and we had a strong desire. Very soon we were ready for our first recording together. There is no easy way to describe what goes on in the minds of musicians in a recording studio except to say that it is intense and it was an intense and demanding three days in February. By the third day we had made our point, we were in control, the music would stand. With three days of editing and the deep and repeated listening of play backs, plus our own critical expectations, finally we were armed and confident to deal with whatever came our way. Within the next two days the Russo Alberts Trio, with Don Alberts on piano, Don Russo on bass, and Art Lewis on drums, found themselves premiering on the stage of the Kuumbwa Jazz Club in Santa Cruz. As this DVD testifies, the band was in high form. The audience was warm and receptive with the presence of many friends prompting them to deliver one of their finest performances. The following list details more information about each song.
Bad Boys: This song represents the past of us all, how we came back from the depths to find each other again and continue this music after years of being misfits. It is the perfect setting for this band.
Coy Madden: It was originally the extension of a poem, the song came one afternoon at the piano alone in the house with conflicting feelings of loss or abandonment. As it turns out it was not about that at all, but uplifting and smart. The people in L.A. loved it and that made it a permanent part of the band's music.
One Fine Thing: A minor blues. It pivots on an introductory figure that resolves to solos in F minor. It is a joy to play and "One Fine Thing."
Definition: The song evolved out of the many versions of the form we use and served to define the musical configuration as a model.
Rise- is the first excursion in the use of a device to expand the harmonic influence combining Lydian harmony with the bebop forms without sacrificing melodic beauty and content. This might have been the title song.
Made: This came into fullness quite unexpectedly at rehearsal through rhythmic impressions of Art's drumming. Together we developed the form to its completion based on that rhythmic idea. The title "Made," came from our realization that on one particular gig situation we could do no wrong, we were "Made." That fact has stayed with the band.
Dare Devils: A song that was influenced by Sonny Stitt. He would have loved the exotic fast moving blues changes.
Lush Life: A song by Ellington composer Billy Strayhorn was added as a solo piece. It is played as an introduction to Duke’s Choice minus the verse.
Duke's Choice: A song by Charles Mingus that sings his haunting style. Though dedicated to his mentor, "Duke Ellington," it echos the purity of Mingus' concept, rooted strongly in the blues with a theme that becomes unforgettable.
Steps- is purely original, it forces its way into an energetic ride across the bars in the 7/4 melody and opens the door to an almost free improvisation. It is the longest track in this collection but well worth the experience.