Pianist Rodrigo Pinheiro (you know him mostly from his contributions to Red Trio) is one of the most requested presences of Portuguese improvisers in Poland, resulting in several co-operative groups with musicians from both countries. Wschód reunites him with the double bassist Zbigniew Kozera and the drummer Kuba Suchar to fulfill a purpose: to go beyond the established norms for the piano jazz trio. And they indeed do it, breaking with the pyramidal hierarchization of that instrumental format by the redefinition of the solo and accompaniment roles and by unnusual approaches to rhythm, harmony and melody. And yes, the drumkit also act as a piano, the piano drums and the bass sometimes doesn’t sound like a bass at all. The music is either subtle or energetic, exploring timbres and incorporating extensive techniques in a virtuosic playing always submited to the concretization of musical ideas. All the musicians are on the top of their respective scenes, and this is music only possible when its actors are in full domain of their instruments and the process of improvisation. Pinheiro’s skills joined him to the likes of Nate Wooley, John Butcher, Lotte Anker, Joe McPhee, Jason Stein and Axel Dörner. Kozera played with Peter Brotzmann, Alexander von Schlippenbach, John Edwards and Steve Noble. Suchar had Joshua Abrams, Noel Akchoté, Rob Mazurek and Kazuhisa Uchihashi as partners. This gives you a clue of the marvels you’ll find inside…

All music by Rodrigo Pinheiro, Zbigniew Kozera and Kuba Suchar

Recorded by Kuba Suchar in Wrocław, Poland on the 26th, 27th and 28th of May 2017 | Mixed by Wschód | Mastered by Rodrigo Pinheiro
Produced by Wschód | Executive production by Pedro Costa for Trem Azul | Design by Travassos | Cover Drawing by Kuba Suchar | Photos by Catarina Loura