Silent Photographer

Album Review

Scenes began as a quartet, but continued as a trio after the departure of saxophonist Rick Mandyck. Their third trio CD is similar to their earlier releases, mixing thoughtful originals by guitarist John Stowell and bassist Jeff Johnson along with interpretations of works by jazz masters. Stowell's mysterious "Three French Nuns" has a pensive air, while "Silent Photographer" is played on acoustic guitar, an abstract work with Johnson's floating bassline and John Bishop's whispering brushed cymbals. Johnson's "Sepia" is hardly a nostalgic look at the past but a driving, modern post-bop work with marvelous interplay. The bassist's brooding "Windchaser" sounds like a group improvisation. Wayne Shorter's "Black Eyes" isn't one of his better-known songs but the trio's exploration captures this post-bop work's nuances. Johnson takes the initial lead on electric bass for Herbie Hancock's "Chan's Song" with the backing of Stowell's soft chords and Bishop's sensitive drumming, followed by Stowell's shimmering solo. This is another introspective session by the outstanding Seattle-based trio.