Combo Size

   I've been listening to a few trio albums recently, in particular Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans trios.  

It occurred to me that it can be difficult to compare a trio to a group of larger size, like a quintet.  The content of the music is much more diverse in albums such as "Blue Train" where there is a trumpet, trombone, and saxophone alternating solos along with the pianist and bass player also possibly taking solos.  

I suppose this question depends entirely on one's opinion, but I think it's worth thinking about.  Is a larger combo, for the most part, better than a small one? Many top jazz album lists on other sites seem to think so.  Or is it perhaps "Not about the size, but how you use it"   

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Amilisom Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Groupie Joined: 25 May 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 60	Post Options Post Reply Quote Amilisom Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Combo Size Posted: 03 Nov 2012 at 12:25am
	I've been listening to a few trio albums recently, in particular Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans trios. It occurred to me that it can be difficult to compare a trio to a group of larger size, like a quintet. The content of the music is much more diverse in albums such as "Blue Train" where there is a trumpet, trombone, and saxophone alternating solos along with the pianist and bass player also possibly taking solos. I suppose this question depends entirely on one's opinion, but I think it's worth thinking about. Is a larger combo, for the most part, better than a small one? Many top jazz album lists on other sites seem to think so. Or is it perhaps "Not about the size, but how you use it"
	"Pay no attention to what the critics say; there has never been a statue set up in honor of a critic." -Jean Sibelius

js Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Admin Group Site admin Joined: 22 Dec 2010 Location: Memphis Online Status: Online Posts: 8940	Post Options Post Reply Quote js Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Nov 2012 at 3:45am
	I think they both can be interesting. I like the large ensemble work of Gil Evans, Duke Ellington, Anthony Braxton, Don Ellis, Sun Ra and so many more, a lot of that is my favorite music, but sometimes nothing sounds better than a tenor, standup bass and drums trio.

Amilisom Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Groupie Joined: 25 May 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 60	Post Options Post Reply Quote Amilisom Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Nov 2012 at 2:51pm
	I suppose I was excluding the works of big bands, limiting the question to whether a good lineup (like in Kind of Blue) is "better" with 6 people rather than 3 or 4.
	"Pay no attention to what the critics say; there has never been a statue set up in honor of a critic." -Jean Sibelius

Kazuhiro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Admin Group Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Location: Tokyo, Japan Online Status: Offline Posts: 3803	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kazuhiro Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Nov 2012 at 7:08pm
	I think that I need a technique and knowledge when a small form expresses it for a musician. I think that both trio and quartet are interesting personally. I recommend trio where there is not a piano player if there is an opportunity. I can feel that it widens possibility of trio more and think that it is interesting.

Amilisom Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Groupie Joined: 25 May 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 60	Post Options Post Reply Quote Amilisom Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Nov 2012 at 10:57pm
	Can you give recommendations for trios like that? That sounds awesome.
	"Pay no attention to what the critics say; there has never been a statue set up in honor of a critic." -Jean Sibelius

Kazuhiro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Admin Group Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Location: Tokyo, Japan Online Status: Offline Posts: 3803	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kazuhiro Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Nov 2012 at 11:39pm
	Yes. I collected albums of trio where there was not a piano player before. The form may be in the form that it is more irregular than piano trio. However, the form can enjoy possibility of trio. Probably by a line of sax-bass-drums. Some albums are these. I believe that it is an entrance for this to enjoy trio album. A Night at the Village Vanguard - Sonny Rollins Motion - Lee Konitz At The "Golden Circle" - Ornette Coleman Triplicate - Dave Holland The Dark Keys - Branford Marsalis