Michael Musillami Trio

After Twenty” is the title of the final track on this significant trio CD. That’s because the block party celebration is of the two decades plus that guitarist Michael Musillami, bassist Joe Fonda and drummer George Schuller have been working together. This month too is a cause for celebration since it’s also Musillami’s 71^th birthday.

The ease, grace and sophistication the trio brings to Musillami’s eight combination shouldn’t be surprising. All have long histories working as leaders  or in bands with numerous creative musicians. The guitarist with Mario Pavone; Fonda, 69, with Michael Jefry Stevens; and Schuller with Jason Robinson.

On his own Musillami is a classic jazz guitarist. Eschewing volume and gimmicks most of his playing includes modulated and well-shaped notes or patterns. He’s fleet fingered but responsive and always in context, whether he’s slipping and sliding to expand a groove piece like “Off The Monster” or using downward strums and acoustic-sounding comping to outline the balladic “Little Ruby Steps”.

In sync and cadenced, Fonda’s high-on-neck arco work can animate and add warmth to ballad or on a bluesy romp like “Slow Moe” propel the exposition with stops and throbs, affiliated with Schuller’s shuffle and back beat. As for the drummer, his accompaniment secures the beat with pressure but not excess, so that it’s felt as much as heard.  

Taken together the Musillami Trio members’ music here and elsewhere always project the essence of swing, not with the pressure to attain the attribute, but as an expected and genuine way of playing. With pliant, pleasing and professional sounds here they’re created a block party many will want to attend.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Robert Paris 2. Block Party 3. Little Ruby Steps 4. Freedom Calls 5. Off The Monster (Intro)  6. Off The Monster 7. Slow Moe 8. After Twenty

Personnel: Michael Musillami (guitar); Joe Fonda (bass) and George Schuller (drums)