Album Notes

Bill Swann has been performing as a jazz musician for 15 years in the Knoxville area. He has finally chosen to create a jazz CD (his first two CDs were alt-jazz-rock sorts of affairs), and he has made a very good one. The CD "Three" is a collection of seven original compositions that highlights Swann's substantial improvisatory skills at the piano as well as his unique compositional voice. The trio features Keith Brown on drums and Rusty Holloway on bass and it is clear from the interplay between the musicians that this is a working group, not an assemblage of players brought together simply to record a disc. Keith Brown (performed with Mose Alison, Diane Schuur, Tommy Flanagan, et al) and Rusty Holloway (performed with Woody Herman, Dizzy Gilespie, Clark Terry, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Gap Mangione, Joe Williams, et al) provide an excellent rhythmic foundation on which Swann builds these originals. "These tunes were written specifically for this trio of myself, Keith, and Rusty. I cannot write in the abstract or for a group of players that I'm not familiar with, I have to have a connection to the outcome for me to feel like I can invest my thoughts." The trio is also the rhythm section for the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, a non-profit big-band based in Knoxville that has earned a great deal of critical praise.

The CD has a distinct flavor. The compositions and Swann's playing style are often reminiscent of his heroes: Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Donald Brown, Keith Jarrett, McCoy Tyner, and even a bit of Brad Mehldau. But, make no mistake, these tunes are not rip-offs. There is clear style here. One that synthesizes all of the aforementioned performers but doesn't fall into the trap of imitation or parody. In short, this is a recording of three artists; three musicians that listen to one another, care about the music, invest themselves into what they are working on, and, most importantly, have something to say. This is a must-have indie jazz release.