Darren Johnston/Carmen Staaf/Michael Formanek

Concise Chamber Jazz which modulates from restrained to rugged, Brooklyn-based trumpeter Darren Johnston uses a limited palate but is able to sound paint a technicolor picture nonetheless. A Canadian in New York after two decades in the Bay area where he played with Larry Ochs and many others, the trumpeter is aided by pianist Carmen Staaf, Dee Bridgewater’s musical director and bassist Michael Formanek, who has played on numerous sessions with the likes of Tim Berne.

Stretching the trio format to its utmost, track moods range from bouncy to bluesy with Johnston’s frequent portamento extensions often interrupted for speedy triplets, half-valve growls or grace note formalism. Along the way themes balance on sliding strums from the bassist and single note or two-handed comping from the pianist. However the trumpeter steps back on tunes like “Fragments of Olympian Gossip” and “Man’s Laughter”. Staaf has solo space to introduce the former using romantic colored sweeping chords that lead to a brassy, high-pitched response from Johnston and conclude with darker keyboard emphasis. Formanek’s spaced strums on “Man’s Laughter” are soon doubled by ringing piano tones with the theme defined as Johnston’s plunger excursions are squeezed down into vibrating slurs cushioned by circular piano notes.

Staaf exploring the basement tones of the piano eventually dominates the title track, one of the CD’s most realized efforts. With slinky keyboard pressure matched with triple strokes from the bassist, Johnston’s initial half-valve effects cascade into repeated smears and slides. Another standout is “The Forever People”, where the pianist’s underlying ostinato turns almost Baroque-like frilly giving the trumpeter a chance to amplify the narrative with a swaying buildup of grace notes.

Modest in its aspirations, Breathing Room is organized with the skills and smarts to realize them and so much more due to tight-knit playing. Looking for another reason to investigate the session? All proceeds will be donated to Planned Parenthood.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Radio Silence 2. The Secret Meaning of Things 3. The Highland Bluff 4. Breathing Room 5. The Forever People 6. 88 Racoons 7. Fragments of Olympian Gossip 8. Man’s Laughter 9, Round Trip

Personnel: Darren Johnston (trumpet); Carmen Staaf (piano) and Michael Formanek (bass)