PAPATAMUS REDUX

POSI-TONE RECORDS 8260  (RECORDED FEBRUARY 2023)

The cover design for Good Company says it all — three instruments, each with their own distinct colors , combine to form even more colors. The primary colors of this unique ensemble are pianist Art Hirahara, guitarist Paul Bollenback and trumpet/flugelhorn player Ron Horton. Although each player brings his own palette to the session — Hirahara’s straight-ahead playing, Horton’s more progressive approach and Bolleback’s pop/soul-jazz sensibilities — the three create a cohesive recording of colorful selections. Some such as “Shambolic,” “Psalm” and “Home” are pastel in nature, while “Soho Down” and “Everywhere All at Once” have a more bold tone to them. The colors of funk set the mood on “Sintra Breeze,” the fugue provides the framework for “The Shadowist” and “Drop and Drag” is all about the blues. The ensemble even adds new colors to Thelonius Monk’s “Ugly Beauty” and Andrew Hill’s “Laverne.”  Like the cover design, the interplay between the musicians provides for an ever-changing array of moods as solos, duos and the trio morph their way through the 13 tunes of Good Company. From my recollection, there have been recordings by piano and guitar duos (think Bill Evans and Jim Hall) as well as recordings by trumpet/guitar/bass trios (think Chet Baker, Doug Raney and NHOP), but this may very well be the first piano/guitar/trumpet session on record. Good Company is a solid and very enjoyable first effort for this unique combination of musicians, instruments and songs.

BOTTOM LINE: The Posi-tone label varies from its usual retro hard bop sessions with a more chamber-like ensemble of piano, trumpet and guitar. Whether they’re playing the music of Thelonious Monk, Andrew Hill or originals, ranging from reflective to raucous, funk to fugues, the combination of Art Hirahara, Ron Horton and Paul Bollenback bring new colors to jazz.