Tree
I formed this trio in the late ‘90’s in New York as part of my on going exploration of the bass-less trio idea.
This format not only allows for a shift in instrumental roles but also enables a more fluid interaction between them with the drums having ample sonic space to get beyond time keeping and into abstract melodic ideas, textures and colours.
The band initially had Ben Monder on guitar with Tom Varner on french horn but ultimately I settled on a funkier thing with Joe Fiedler on trombone and Pete McCann and/or Jerome Harris on guitar.
I released a self produced cd of the group in 2001 to critical acclaim including a 4 star review in the January issue of Down Beat magazine and also inclusion on their list of best jazz albums for that year.
Tree cd four star review
January 2001 Down Beat ****
With Ed Ware’s TREE, New York City-based modern jazz drummer Ed Ware derives inspiration from the writings of ancient Chinese philosopher Chuang Tzu, who denounced unyielding logic in relation to ubiquitous matters such as time and transformation, all within the context of Taoism.
Here the drummer embarks upon the bass-less trio and quartet route while utilizing the skills of trombonist Joe Fiedler, the exciting young guitarist Pete McCann and proven jazz warrior, guitarist Jerome Harris. McCann and Harris provide the twin attack on ‘Goat (after Pablo and Robert)’; however the guitarist reciprocate their services throughout these nine Ware compositions with the exception being Ware’s solo drumming exhibition aptly titled ‘Drum Solo’ .
Ed Ware’s Tree is an album consisting of peppery themes and sinewy rythmns enhanced by the drummers crisp time keeping and multipurpose textures, which are evident on the opening piece ‘Kasa’ and elsewhere. At times Fiedler and Ware execute tricky unison runs amid McCann’s atmospheric chord voicings and full-throttle fireworks. Together the musicians deconstruct and regenerate motifs while creating tension via climatic arrangements. The band counterbalances the hustle and bustle by allowing themselves ample breathing room on ‘Age of Dust’ where McCann’s jagged lines along with the inconspicuous applications of effects as Ware and Fiedler offset the guitarist’s ethereal treatments with burgeoning rhythms and circuitous themes. Guitarist Jerome Harris melds soul-drenched lines with North African modalities in concert with Ware’s off kilter militaristic-style press rolls and animated free-jazz style excursions on the playfully insurgent dirge-like piece ‘Distance’
Perhaps Ware’s musical visions parallel the doctrines of Taoism and while we might refrain from elaborating on any implicit connotations, the overall presentation does indeed defy convention yet seems so unaffected.
-by Glen R Astarita