The wily Americana and edge-of-seat panache that infuse pianist Jon Cowherd’s trio are rooted in longstanding relationships. Cowherd co-led drummer Brian Blade’s Fellowship band while Blade and bassist John Patitucci were the rhythmic whirlwind at the heart of Wayne Shorter’s long-running quartet. All three figure prominently in Le Coq’s recording credits since the label launched in January last year and now they reunite for a new album titled Pride and Joy.
Here, Cowherd draws inspiration from his personal life. He wrote “Grand Mesa” and “The Colorado Experiment” soon after he swapped the cityscapes of New York for the reddish-brown mesas and mountains that surround Grand Junction, Colorado — which took some getting used to, apparently. His daughter inspired “Little Scorpio”, “Plainfield” references the New Jersey shore and “Honest Man” is dedicated to New Orleans pianist/mentor Ellis Marsalis.
The album opens with Cowherd conjuring broad horizons with expansive lines, modal voicings and a strong left hand. Patitucci adds pedal-point bass, Blade polyrhythmic fire and then the theme of “La Mesa”, delivered by guest saxophonist Chris Potter, confirms the panoramic mood. As the piece progresses, solos gain focus from the drive of walking bass twinned with guest Alex Acuña’s percussion.
Potter and Acuña also guest on the playful lilt of “Little Scorpio” and the ebb-and-flow rush of the title track. The first features lyrical soprano sax and strums of bass guitar, the second finds tenor sax swaggering over whiplash percussion.
Potter’s solos are gripping, but the album’s success rests on Cowherd’s tight-knit trio and his arranger’s grasp of narrative form — the pianist’s session credits range from guitarist John Scofield to Iggy Pop. “Honest Man” is pitch-perfect as a low-key waltz and the group composition “Chickmonk” marks the influence of Thelonious Monk and the late Chick Corea with a trio tour de force. Cowherd, relaxed in the leading role, embraces both approaches while maintaining his personal voice.
The album ends with “Quilt City Blues” and the unaccompanied Cowherd giving familiar moves an original, plangent and appealing twist.
★★★★☆
‘Pride and Joy’ is released by Le Coq Records
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