Pierre de Bethmann Trio – Essais/Volume 6

The eight tracks on this new album by Pierre de Bethmann’s trio come from the same recording session that produced Volume 5 of his Essais.

(reviewed on this site some time ago)

The same intimate atmosphere and taste for melody are therefore present here.

Once again, the trio offers interpretations of themes that are either standards or compositions by musicians as diverse as Andrew Hill, Keith Jarrett, Alain Jean-Marie or Joni Mitchell.

It’s a fairly broad panorama, to which the trio’s arrangements breathe new life by infusing these tunes with a special flavor linked to the intertwining of three delightful sounds.

The leader’s piano still has the delicate tone and fluid phrasing we know so well, and his improvisations flow naturally with remarkable clarity.

Nelson Veras‘ guitar distills refined chords and arpeggios with its pure sound. His rapport with the piano is ideal, and his inspired solos are a constant delight. As for Sylvain Romano‘s double bass, it is both discreet and constantly present, linking the melodic lines of his partners in the lower register with a constant concern for the right note and remarkable rhythmic and harmonic placement.

This timeless chamber jazz is therefore delightful from start to finish.