Trio Reenactment

By Dan McClenaghan –allaboutjazz.com Published 5-09-08:
The deep dark prowling bass lines that open up Trio Reenactment's “Groove Chick,” says that this Detroit-based piano trio's leader is bassist John Barron. The up-tempo composition has the feel of a Motor City “Night in Tunisia,” as it drives forward with an exotic groove.
Barron, pianist Sven Anderson and drummer Rob Emanuel are veterans of the Detroit music scene, with a collective resume involving funk and Afro-Cuban sounds, Brazilian music and Broadway shows, Latin and Motown soul and straight-ahead jazz. On Trio Reenactment the group shows off their multiple influences and considerable mainstream piano trio chops.
The straight-through engaging set rides the groove of bassist Barron's assertive, sometimes guitar-like sound on three tunes by pianist Anderson and seven by Barron. “7-24” shows off the group's way with a ballad. The sound has a lilting sway, with Barron taking a crisp and melodic solo between Anderson's light sparkle
“Relentless” features Barron laying down an ominous foundation behind a flashy (in the best sense of the word) piano/drums energy. “James” trips in on a light island rhythm, and “John's Big Feet” wears some quirky yet soulful dancing shoes. “Move It Along” does just what the title indicates, with a mainstream fluid momentum.
Trio Reenactment proves itself a fine and distinctive piano trio affair.
- All About Jazz

By Edward Blanco (ejazznews.com) Published 4-15-08:

A self titled debut by the rhythm-based acoustic jazz trio from Detroit, Trio Reenactment blends influences from Afro-Cuban and Brazilian grooves with contemporary straight-ahead jazz in one nice neat musical package. Canadian-born bassist John Barron and pianist Sven Anderson contribute ten original compositions and along with drummer Rob Emanuel deliver an enticing performance.
Pianist Anderson shows his ample prowess on the keys providing the lead throughout the album as he does on his opening score, “Groove Chick.” His additional contributions here include the funk-tinged “James” and the intricate, “John’s Big Feet” a number firmly grounded in the modern jazz tradition. His playing is simply marvelous on the burner, “Move It Along” one of the best cuts on the album.
Barron also features prominently here with seven original charts and introducing the first four tracks with his bass work. Barron displays his ample chops beginning on “7-24,” and with his extended intro to the Latin-shaded “Relentless.” He delivers a warm cushy solo on the eight-minute “What If” where both Anderson and Emanuel weigh in with their play.
Both Anderson and Barron deliver stylish phrasings on the moving Latin sounds of “Riding With Sveng” and end the session on the lovely ballad of “Olivia” with Emanuel on soft brush strokes as Barron takes one last bass line bow to finish a terrific set of music. From a listener’s perspective, Trio Reenactment provides a very pleasurable musical experience well worth many spins of enjoyment.

- EJazz News

CD Reviews: Trio Reenactment, “What Once Was ...”
Posted by: editoron Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 09:22 AM
Reviews By: Edward Blanco

Coming off their self-titled debut of a couple of years ago offering a slice of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and contemporary jazz, Trio Reenactment present their second album, “What Once Was...,”this time melding straight-ahead jazz with a touch of soul and rock rhythms in an intimate studio session that demonstrates the group's versatility. Led by bassist John Barron, this traditional piano trio--featuring Sven Anderson on piano/keyboards and veteran drummer Rob Emanuel—together have been a a fixture in Detroit's rich musical community for some time. This friendly outing covers eight originals and the Smokey Robinson cover tune “Get Ready,” popularized by the pop group The Temptations.


Piano man Anderson takes charge on his original opening piece supported by light splashing cymbal accents and Barron's prowling bass work in a sprite number hovering in up tempo territory. Working his upright bass with crisp fluid lines, Barron emerges in the lead role on the light mid tempo “Eternal,” and follows up with a much heavier treatment of the strings on the familiar “Get Ready.” The group turns funky with a hard-driving rhythm on “Trio R” chasing away any notion of experiencing only the mellow side of jazz. Yet interestingly enough, the title piece,“What Once Was” offers a brief tempered and mellow sound.

Other highlights include “When You Speak, Do You Sleep,” an Anderson composition that features the pianist with some of his best chops on the album. Then there is the sizzling and provocative closer “Open Your Eyes” and the outstanding Barron/Anderson duet performance on the beautiful ballad-like “Goodbye Larry.” With the plethora of trio albums flooding the landscape of jazz these days, it is indeed a pleasure to sample a piece of work that, in some ways, one might consider, a stylish piece of art. What Once Was... is now, without a doubt, an audacious musical statement by John Barron and Trio Reenactment, highly recommended.

Year:2009
Label: Olicon Music
Artist Web:www.trioreenactment.com - EJazz News

By: Lee Prosser
jazzreview.com
published 1-26-2010

What Once Was is the second release from this jazz ensemble, and mixed in with the contemporary jazz sounds are elements of straight-ahead jazz. This Detroit-area trio is highly imaginative with its lively jazz performances, and their sound is unmistakenly unique and full of verve...its sounds recall the great jazz trios of the past...Highly recommended. - jazzreview.com

By Dan McClenaghan –allaboutjazz.com Published 1-27-10:
The Detroit-based Trio Reenactment follows up its self-produced, self-titled 2008 debut with What Once Was..., a piano trio set filled with catchy hooks, engaging can't-get-'em-outta-your-head melodies, a bunch of soul and funk, and some fine mainstream jazz tunes.
The set bounces to life with “Piano Mang,” penned by Trio Reenactment's leader, bassist John Barron. It's an upbeat, gregarious tune with a memorable melody and a strutting vibe, sounding as if it could serve as theme song for a modern situation comedy in an urban setting.
The group's pianist, Sven Anderson, wrote “Eternal,” a lovely, inward-looking ballad that features Barron (who is also a guitarist) taking a guitar-like bass lead. After an interlude, he hands off to Anderson, who sparkles in a drifting, lighter-than-air fashion.
Being Motor City guys, it seems appropriate to include a Motown Records hit from the 1960s. The Smokey Robinson-penned “Get Ready,” a song that climbed the charts for The Temptations way back when, rolls along on a soulful groove, again showcasing Barron's gift for melodic bass playing.
The Barron-penned “Trio R” has a full-speed-ahead fusion feeling, with Anderson injecting an electric Joe Zawinul-like sheen to the proceedings. Meanwhile, the title cut has a sense of inward longing. In a mainstream mood, “When You Speak, Do You Sleep?” features turbulent three-way interplay, and “Here to There” gets into a soulful, get-up-and-dance groove.
“Open Your Eyes” rumbles and rattles to life on Barron's deep bass lines, accompanied by Rob Emanuel's clattering drums and leading into Anderson's bright electric keyboard work. The trio closes the set with a beautifully wistful, Bill Evans-like “Goodbye Larry.”
What Once Was...” showcases a versatile trio in a highly engaging set of sounds.
- allaboutjazz.com