DE3 - Live At Maxwell's (2016) [Hi-Res]

There are times when one needs a pause or a break from the path that has been charted. For the past few years, trumpeter/composer Duane Eubanks has been locked into his identity as a quintet leader, being tied up with all the details, good and bad, that are included in such ventures.

Not to say that leading the quintet was especially difficult but a change of pace was called for. The opportunity for such action came in the form of two relaxed recording dates at Steve Maxwell s Drum Shop in Midtown New York City with a trio made up of mainstays from Eubanks Quintet, namely bassist Dezron Douglas and drummer Eric McPherson.

The resulting collective ensemble called DE3 (Eubanks says the acronym stands for Dezron, Eric and I m three ) was invited to record by engineer and local jazz advocate Jimmy Katz in a setting where there were no time constraints or other issues demanding attention that are typical to most studio recordings. This freedom and approach was reflected in the attitude and performance of the musicians, as the informal proceedings capture them loose, relaxed and willing to experiment.

Live At Maxwell s is one of those special recordings where the musicians get to let it hang out. While this is a happy circumstance for the players, it also provides its own challenges. The trio setting leaves all the performers more exposed and having to exert more into their performance. This meant that Eubanks, especially, had to be more assertive, or more so that he would typically have done with his Quintet. This loosening of artistic inhibitions is what makes this recording special.

The compositions on the recording are great vehicles for the ensemble to stretch out on. Most of the pieces stem from the pen of Eubanks. Douglas also provides an original and the trio improvises a couple pieces extemporaneously.

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