Jeb Bishop, Matthias Müller and Matthias Muche

Kai Winding and JJ Johnson fronted a two-trombone group with a rhythm section in the 1950s and Conny and Johannes Bauer with two guitarists did so in a freer context in the 1990s. But a free music combo consisting of only two trombones had to wait until the 21st Century before being organized. Soon afterwards the concept was extended like a trombone’s slide by adding a third partner. Today German trombonists with almost homonymous names – Koln’s Matthias Muche and Berlin’s Matthias Müller – regularly work as a trio with American trombonist Jeb Bishop.

Despite the downplayed title, the three, who have worked with everyone from Ken Vandermark to Frank Paul Schubert, use an extended brass vocabulary that envelopes the use of multiple instrument parts and extended techniques. In many strata one trombonist projects a mid-range theme, often with extended portamento slurs or injects Jazz-like shakes; another brightens the top line with aviary whistles, toneless breaths or half-valve effects; while the third growls and gurgles to create a low-pitched continuum. These procedures, as well as mouthpiece oscillation, strained tonguing, brass buzzes, metallic percussion smacks and widening expositions, are put into play at various junctures. But at the same time harmonic consolidation is subtly applied, so that individual tracks evolve in a linear fashion at varied tempos. Whether it’s emphasizing speedy prestissimo triplets or lento plunger tones that approach tuba timbres or – even as on the brief final track – squeezing brass breaths into a compacted drone, the trio members are always in complete control.

Not just for the trombone community From A to B should appeal to anyone who appreciates advanced music which emphasizes most parts of the musical alphabet.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. B1 2. B2 3. A1 4. A2 5. B3

Personnel: Jeb Bishop, Matthias Müller and Matthias Muche (trombones)