Album Notes

The Pan-Metropolitan Trio is one of the most distinctive and exciting instrumental groups to have come out of the Twin Cities in recent years. Stefan Kac (tuba) contributes stunning original compositions and swashbuckling improvisations, while Japhlet Bire Attias' Chapman Stick® opens up a previously unimaginable world of orchestrational and timbral possibilities within the trio format. Owen Weaver (percussion) has forged a highly individual voice that combines the muscular energy of rock, the virtuosity of jazz, and the subtleties of classical music. Together, these three young musicians create music that is unmistakable for its freshness and vitality. Their repertoire encompasses a vast range of styles, from post-bop jazz, to burning latin grooves, to progressive rock and fusion.
They now present their debut album, "Isolation", featuring 4 tracks by the trio's own Stefan Kac, Tuba. Other tunes include a Pat Metheny composition, Q & A, and Italian pianist Giacomo Aula's incredible piece "Canzone per Nino Rota", and a classic Gentle Giant piece.
Please visit the PM3 website for more info, to see videos, hear more music and to sign up on their mailing list.
CDs will be back in stock very soon. In the meantime CDs can be ordered from www.stick.com.
Here's what some people have said about "Isolation":


"I greatly appreciate the discipline and jazz "ethic" that went into this work. The compositions are first class throughout, with well executed thematic phrasing and breaks, and flowing, evolving improvs.
Japhlet's Stick bass with chord progressions seems strongly influenced by pianist McCoy Tyner. From time to time I found myself missing John Coltrane, McCoy's harmonic "partner in crime", but then Stefan's tuba ably fills the bill - fluent and mature jazz solos in the mid to low registers. Owen's drums complete the picture with understated rhythms, dynamic nuances, and above all, a sense of jazz history, which all three members share.
I feel this album has its roots in an impressive period of mid '60s progressive jazz, before it became angry and atonal.
Very happy to see The Stick in this setting!"

-Emmett Chapman, Inventor of the Stick and Stickist


"The Pan-Metropolitan Trio features a solid swingin' drummer and some extremely melodic tuba playing. Creating a good harmonic foundation is the Stick, playing reliable bass lines augmented by interesting chord structures and rhythms. The group is a musical unit merging the three personalities into the greater band vision. Congrats to Japhlet and the band for realizing a musical mission and documenting their sonic vision."


-Steve Adelson, World renowned Jazz Stickist


“Intriguing and full of fresh sounds… Melodic, diverse, and eminently accessible.
Who knew what a tuba could do?”

-Pamela Espeland, Minnpost.com


The PM3 has found a balance for a progressive sound that seamlessly meshes rock n’ roll, classical, and, most importantly, postbob jazz… The PM3’s Progressive Jazz Rocks!

Megan Wiley, MplsStPaul Magazine