The Squid's Ear Magazine


MPT Trio (Mela / Paz / Trujillo): Volume 1 (577 Records)

Influenced by both free jazz and Caribbean folk music, the NYC-based MPT Trio, led by Francisco Mela (Crash Trio, Joe Lovano, McCoy Tyner, John Scofield, Kenny Barron, Gary Bartz), presents a stylistically innovative sound on their debut album, presenting eight original pieces blending diverse musical traditions with contemporary & avant-garde jazz structures.
 

Price: $16.00



Quantity:

In Stock

Quantity in Basket: None

Log In to use our Wish List
Shipping Weight: 2.00 units

Sample The Album:





product information:

Personnel:



Francisco Mela-drums

Hery Paz-tenor saxophone

Juanma Trujillo-guitar


Click an artist name above to see in-stock items for that artist.




UPC: 755491178140

Label: 577 Records
Catalog ID: 5851
Squidco Product Code: 29812

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2020
Country: USA
Packaging: Digipack
Recorded at Douglas Recording, in Brooklyn, New York, on February 21st, 2020 by Chris Gilroy.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Emerging from sun-soaked Caribbean folk music and the shadowy foundations of Free Jazz, the MPT Trio, led by Francisco Mela (Joe Lovano, McCoy Tyner, John Scofield, Esperanza Spalding, George Garzone, Kenny Barron, Gary Bartz), presents a stylistically innovative sound on their debut album, Volume I. In an impressive first release, the group curates a set of eight original songs that explores the scope of their concept as a band, blending diverse musical traditions with contemporary and avant-garde jazz structures.

Over the course of two and a half years, Francisco Mela, Hery Paz and Juanma Trujillo came together for rehearsals and periodic performances, both improvising and composing, to create a sound that transcends genre. The album features the band leader Mela on a variety of drums, Paz on saxophone and Trujillo on guitar, with each artist using their instrument in innovative ways, demonstrating their artistic curiosity and the deep collaborative connection between the band's members.

The album's eight tracks vary widely in their structure and atmosphere, offering divergent interpretations of their influences. Many songs are rooted in traditional song forms, like the bright opener "Calipso" which features distinctive steel drums reminiscent of Caribbean calypsos. Similarly, the ballad "Naima" is grounded in a more traditional structure, opening with a yearning saxophone solo and slowly building towards familiar guitar chord progressions. Other tracks like "Sustain" are far more textural and experimental, deconstructing easy harmonies and rhythms in favor of a more challenging, discordant jazz that displays their creative range. Likewise, songs like "Vino" and "Baldor" represent the explosive possibilities of the group's less restrained sounds, building up towards crescendos that border on rock, propelled forward by aggressive rhythms. The album's centerpiece, "Suite for Leo Brouwer" is a slow-paced meditation through a series of musical vignettes, showcasing the ensemble's refined orchestral sensibility and its capacity for complex arrangement.

Throughout the album, Mela, Paz and Trujillo render their compositions as a unit, exploring their sound with confidence and ease. Creating dense events full of bright tones as well as remarkable moments of minimal instrumentation, the trio returns to many of the same reprises, rhythms and melodies that have come to define the Afro-Caribbean musical genre while carving out their own unique niche in a genre-fluid music world."-577 Records


Artist Biographies

"Francisco Jose Mela is a Cuban drummer and percussionist who has performed with a wide array of prominent international Latin and jazz artists including Kenny Barron, Gary Bartz, JoAnne Brackeen, Jane Bunnett, Regina Carter, Anat Cohen, Paquito D'Rivera, George Garzone, Larry Grenadier, Stefon Harris, Lionel Loueke, Joe Lovano, Jason Moran, John Patitucci, John Scofield, Esperanza Spalding, Mark Turner, McCoy Tyner, Chucho Valdés, Kenny Werner, and many others.

Born in Bayamo, Cuba, Francisco Mela studied at the Music School of Arts El Yarey as a teenager before furthering his studies at the National School of Arts for Teachers, el CENCEA. He taught at Rafael's Cabrera Conservatory of Music and played with some of the country's top Latin jazz musicians, as well as leading his group, MelaSon Latin Jazz Band, that toured throughout Mexico. In 2000, he moved to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music and was invited to join the percussion faculty. He became the house drummer at the Wally's Café. It was here where he developed the concept for what would later be his own group.

In 2005, Mela joined the quartet of saxophonist Joe Lovano. Of particular note was the group's 2008 album on Blue Note entitled Folk Art.Later that year, Mela was approached by McCoy Tyner to join his trio.

Mela was named the Twin Cities Jazz Festival's first artistic director in 2014, Before appointment, he served as artistic director for the Xalapa Jazz Festival in Veracruz, Mexico (2010-2013).

In late 2016, Mela was part of an inaugural ensemble that joined Afro-Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés and saxophonist Joe Lovano for an international tour throughout Europe and North America. He also leads his own group, The Crash Trio."

-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Mela)
3/13/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Hery Paz is a saxophonist and painter born in Cuba, who embodies a rich and diverse color palette. Explicit not only in painting but equally manifested in his distinction as a musician and composer. Ranging from a singular melodic imagination and harmonic depth to contrasting and contrapuntal textures. His solos are imbued with purpose, a sense of patience and a willingness to venture into the unknown. "Paz's melodic lines are made with art, his lyricism does not fit anything you anticipate listening to, having the ability to surprise." -Jazz Trail. He has won the acclaim and respect of legendary jazz musicians such as Fred Hersch. Who called him "... a revelation, a musician of extraordinary strength". Hery is currently an integral element of the creative music scene in New York City. Where he has worked with artists such as Francisco Mela, Ralph Alessi, Fred Hersch, Dave Liebman, Thomas Morgan, George Garzone, Tony Malaby, Ingrid Laubrock, Kris Davis, Ethan Iverson, Miguel Zenón, Frank Carlberg, Tom Rainey, Gerald Cleaver, Bob Moses, Ran Blake, Joe Morris, Charles Downs and Michael Attias. He also holds a Master's degree from the New England Conservatory in Boston."

-Hery Paz Website (https://www.herypaz.com/about)
3/13/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Juanma Trujillo. Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, guitarist Juanma Trujillo has performed with several important Venezuelan bands and artists including El Regaño, Domingo en Llamas, Gustavo Medina, Monsalve y los Forajidos. In 2005, he moved to Los Angeles, California and had the pleasure of performing regularly at major Los Angeles music venues with Gary Fukushima, Gary Pratt, Michael Mull, Brandon Sherman and Emilio Terranova among others. Since moving to New York City in 2014 Juanma has been an active member of the Jazz and Improvised music scene, playing in groups with artists such as Francisco Mela, Ras Moshé, Mimi Jones, Guillermo Gregorio, Nick Grinder, Rebecca Sullivan, Ethan Helm, Leonor Falcón, Juan Pablo Carletti, Christof Knoche, and Andrew Schiller among others. Juanma's activity in multiple musical ensembles has enabled him to perform in various venues all over the world, including Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Venezuela, Austria and Slovenia.

Juanma has positioned himself at the forefront of cutting edge improvisational and experimental creative music. He has the ability to generate emotive and powerful musical statements that transcend the scope of typical structures, analysis, or preconceived systems, and engage not only the ears, but the mind and spirit as well. Because of his boundless curiosity and constant study, he is capable of working comfortably and successfully in many genres of music. His compositions are challenging, clear, cohesive and profound. Juanma continually strives to innovate amongst his contemporaries while also incorporating the mastery of his predecessors into his forward-leaning artistic explorations."

-Juanma Trujillo Website (https://juanmatrujillo.com/About)
3/13/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Calipso 4:45

2. Sustain 2:56

3. Suite For Leo Brouwer 9:24

4. Vino 4:20

5. Naima 6:15

6. Baldor 5:15

7. Whisper 3:25

8. El Llanto De La Tierra 6:35

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
Jazz
Free Improvisation
Trio Recordings
NY Downtown & Metropolitan Jazz/Improv
South & Central American + Caribbean Improvisation

Search for other titles on the label:
577 Records.


Recommended & Related Releases:
Mela, Francisco / Zoh Amba
Causa y Efecto, Vol. 2 [VINYL]
(577 Records)
The second volume of powerful free playing and intimate conversation bringing together two New York-based improvisers, Cuban native drummer/percussionist Francisco Mela and Tennessee native reed & wind player Zoh Amba, both sharing a mountain region upbringing that brings a uniquely reflective quality to their playing, fortified by the exploratory NY improv scene.
Jimenez, Kenneth / Michael Attias / Francisco Mela
Caribu
(577 Records)
Formed at Michael Attias's Washington Heights, Manhattan apartment by three improv compatriots, the trio of Kenneth Jiminez on bass, Michael Attias on saxophones and Francisco Mela on drums & voice incorporate free and experimental jazz forms with heartfelt tradition, in five collective improvisations captured in the studio, plus Paul Motian's "From Time to Time".
Carter, Daniel / Leo Genovese / William Parker / Francisco Mela
Shine Hear, Vol. 1 [VINYL]
(577 Records)
Inspired by a poem Carter wrote about New York's interminable motion, the quartet of Daniel Carter on saxophone, Leo Genovese on piano, William Parker on bass, Gralla & Shakuhachi and Francisco Mela on drums & voice, turn in an ecstatic album of exotic collective improvisation in this first of two planned volumes from an excellent studio session.
Carter, Daniel / Leo Genovese / William Parker / Francisco Mela
Shine Hear, Vol. 1
(577 Records)
Inspired by a poem Carter wrote about New York's interminable motion, the quartet of Daniel Carter on saxophone, Leo Genovese on piano, William Parker on bass, Gralla & Shakuhachi and Francisco Mela on drums & voice, turn in an ecstatic album of exotic collective improvisation in this first of two planned volumes from an excellent studio session.
Amba, Zoh / William Parker / Francisco Mela
O Life, O Light Vol. 2 [VINYL]
(577 Records)
The second volume from the trio of Tennessee-to-NYC transplant Zoe Amba on tenor saxophone & flute, legendary double bassist William Parker and Francisco Mela on drums, performing three compositions by Amba recorded in the studio in NYC; emphatic free jazz with a powerful rhythm section elucidating Amba's spiritually fueled approach to compelling, lyrical improvisation.
Mela, Francisco feat. Cooper-Moore / William Parker
Music Frees Our Souls, Vol. 2 [VINYL]
(577 Records)
The second volume of Music Frees Our Souls, the trio of Francisco Mela on drums, Cooper-Moore on piano and William Parker on bass, recording in the studio in Brooklyn two extended, far reaching and powerful collective improvisations of music performed under the influence of Mela's work with, mentorship by and encouragement from pianist McCoy Tyner.
Mela, Francisco / Zoh Amba
Causa y Efecto Vol. 1
(577 Records)
The first volume of powerful free playing and intimate conversation bringing together two New York-based improvisers, Cuban native drummer/percussionist Francisco Mela and Tennessee native reed & wind player Zoh Amba, both sharing a mountain region upbringing that brings a uniquely reflective quality to their playing, fortified by the exploratory NY improv scene.
Mela, Francisco / Zoh Amba
Causa y Efecto Vol. 1 [VINYL]
(577 Records)
The first volume of powerful free playing and intimate conversation bringing together two New York-based improvisers, Cuban native drummer/percussionist Francisco Mela and Tennessee native reed & wind player Zoh Amba, both sharing a mountain region upbringing that brings a uniquely reflective quality to their playing, fortified by the exploratory NY improv scene.
Amba, Zoh / William Parker / Francisco Mela
O Life, O Light Vol. 1
(577 Records)
New generation New York tenor saxophonist Zoe Amba, a Tennessee transplant whose spirit is illuminated with free styles that harken back to Ayler, recording in the studio with a trio of luminary players--William Parker on bass and Francisco Mela on drums--performing three Amba compositions, one featuring Amba on flute; the CD edition contains one bonus improvisation.
Amba, Zoh / William Parker / Francisco Mela
O Life, O Light Vol. 1 [VINYL]
(577 Records)
New generation New York tenor saxophonist Zoe Amba, a Tennessee transplant whose spirit is illuminated with free styles that harken back to Ayler, recording in the studio with a trio of luminary players--William Parker on bass and Francisco Mela on drums--performing three Amba compositions, one featuring Amba on flute; the CD edition contains one bonus improvisation.
Mela, Francisco / Sinya Lin
Motions Vol. 1
(577 Records)
Extraordinary New York drummer & percussionist Francisco Mela is joined by Taiwan pianist and composer residing in NY, Shinya Lin, for two extended collective improvisations of joyful interaction, a complex interweaving of keys and drums augmented by percussive preparations from Lin and vocal exclamation from Mela, an upbeat and exuberantly intricate encounter.
Conly, Sean
The Buzz [VINYL]
(577 Records)
A mix of lyrical, free and traditional compositions, the majority from leader, New York bassist Sean Conly, along with pieces from long-time collaborator Michael Attias, Sam Rivers and Paul Motian, performed in the piano trio format with drummer Francisco Mela and pianist Leo Genovese, a great balance of jazz steeped in tradition but living fully in the present.
Conly, Sean
The Buzz
(577 Records)
A mix of lyrical, free and traditional compositions, the majority from leader, New York bassist Sean Conly, along with pieces from long-time collaborator Michael Attias, Sam Rivers and Paul Motian, performed in the piano trio format with drummer Francisco Mela and pianist Leo Genovese, in a great balance of jazz steeped in tradition but living fully in the present.
Mela, Francisco feat. Matthew Shipp / William Parker
Music Frees Our Souls, Vol. 1
(577 Records)
A member of pianist McCoy Tyner's Trio and Joe Lavano's Quartet, New York drummer Francisco Mela's own career as a leader is heard in this energetic trio album with two of NY's finest--pianist Matthew Shipp and bassist William Parker--recording in the studio in Brooklyn in 2020 for two extended and powerful collective improvisations and a brief "Dark Light".
Other Recommended Releases:
Mela, Francisco / Jonathan Reisin
Earthquake
(577 Records)
A prime example of the saxophone and drum duo from Cuban/NY drummer/percussionist Francisco Mela, and Israeli saxophonist Jonathan Reisin performing on tenor and soprano saxophones, in five distinct free improvisations recorded at Berklee College Of Music in Boston, demonstrating profound technical skill and an exploratory attitude to their seismic interactions.
Amba, Zoh / William Parker / Francisco Mela
O Life, O Light Vol. 2
(577 Records)
The second volume from the trio of Tennessee-to-NYC transplant Zoe Amba on tenor saxophone & flute, legendary double bassist William Parker and Francisco Mela on drums, performing three compositions by Amba recorded in the studio in NYC; emphatic free jazz with a powerful rhythm section elucidating Amba's spiritually fueled approach to compelling, lyrical improvisation.
Trujillo, Juanma / Kenneth Jimenez / Gerald Cleaver
Contour
(Clean Feed)
Recording in Brooklyn, the trio led by Venezuelan guitarist Juanma Trujillo, with Costa Rican bassist Kenneth Jimenez and New York drummer Gerald Cleaver, merge avant jazz, heavy rock grooves with a Sonny Sharrock flavor, and abstract almost chamber jazz, a fascinating combination of contrasts that keeps the boundaries of their contours flexible and masterfully unpredictable.
Mela, Francisco feat. Cooper-Moore / William Parker
Music Frees Our Souls, Vol. 2
(577 Records)
The second volume of Music Frees Our Souls, the trio of Francisco Mela on drums, Cooper-Moore on piano and William Parker on bass, recording in the studio in Brooklyn two extended, far reaching and powerful collective improvisations of music performed under the influence of Mela's work with, mentorship by and encouragement from pianist McCoy Tyner.
Carlberg, Frank Trio (w/ John Hebert / Francisco Mela)
Reflections 1952
(577 Records)
Reflecting on the 1952 Van Gelder studio sessions of The Thelonious Monk Trio with bassist Gary Mapp and drummers Art Blakey or Max Roach, 2021 pianist Frank Carlberg and drummer Francisco Mela revisited those recordings with bassist John Hebert in new compositions absorbing and quoting those icon works, and on two tracks, improvising conversations with the one and only Monk.
Jeong, Eunhye (Jeong / Burik / Ridley / Mela / Kim)
End of Time / KM-53 Project Vol. 1
(577 Records)
An energetic and sophisticated album of free improvisation based around three compositions by and under the direction of Boston-based South Korean pianist Eunhye Jeong, in a quintet with Allison Burik on alto saxophone & bass clarinet, Max Ridley on double bass, Francisco Mela on drums and Mina Kim on cello, who also performs Jeong's solo work for cello on the center track.
Aella (Henriette / Breiner / Goldman)
Aella
(577 Records)
Trio Xolo (Swanson / Michaels / Naujokaitis)
In Flower, In Song
(577 Records)
The debut of Trio Xolo, bringing together Mexican-American bassist Zachary Swanson, inventive Lithuanian ex-pat & long-time New York drummer/percussionist Dalius Naujokaitis and lyrical Baltimore saxophonist Derrick Michaels, three players steeped in both tradition and avant free playing, captured live in-studio for an album of perceptive creative jazz.
Takatsuki Trio Quartett feat. Silke Eberhard
At Kuhlspot
(577 Records)
An extended improvisation performed live at Kuhlspot Social Club in Berlin from the Takatsuki Trio of Rieko Okuda on piano, Antti Virtaranta on bass and Joshua Weitzel on guitar & shamisen (a 3-stringed traditional Japanese instrument), captured at their monthly series expanding the trio to a "Quartett" for fresh perspective, here with alto saxophonist Silke Eberhard.
Genovese, Leo / Mariano Otero / Sergio Verdinelli
Trio Sin Tiempo: Ritmos de Agua
(577 Records)
A lyrical piano trio album from three seasoned Argentinian-born improvising musicians -- Leo Genovese on piano, Mariano Otero on bass and Sergio Verdinelli on drums -- each contributing compositions to the album, along with one piece by Luis Alberto Spinetta, with whom Verdinelli has performed extensively; a lovely and sophisticated album of modern jazz.
Mela, Francisco feat. Matthew Shipp / William Parker
Music Frees Our Souls, Vol. 1 [VINYL]
(577 Records)
A member of pianist McCoy Tyner's Trio and Joe Lavano's Quartet, New York drummer Francisco Mela's own career as a leader is heard in this energetic trio album with two of NY's finest--pianist Matthew Shipp and bassist William Parker--recording in the studio in Brooklyn in 2020 for two extended and powerful collective improvisations and a brief "Dark Light".
Gibbs, E. Jason / Nat Baldwin
Microstates
(Orbit577)
After a year of collaboration where Gibbs and Baldwin developed a common language and shared aesthetic to explore time, space, texture, frenetic energy, and the limits of their instruments and technique, double basssist Nat Baldwin and guitarist E. Jason Gibbs recorded this fascinating set of free improvisations at Apohadion Theatre, in Portland, Maine.



The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

© 2002-, Squidco LLC