In "Wisteria," reflection and melancholy merge, most notably in the title track, a composition by Art Farmer that evokes memories of the early 1960s. Steve Kuhn and Steve Swallow sensitively interpreted the blues in Farmer's ensemble and have maintained a long-standing musical partnership ever since. Swallow contributed to Kuhn's renowned album "Trance," while Kuhn, in turn, appeared on Swallow's releases "Home" and "So There." Drummer Joey Baron has previously played with Kuhn on ECM productions such as "Remembering Tomorrow" and the impressive tribute album "Mostly Coltrane." The current work presents several pieces from Kuhn's orchestral series "Promises Kept" in a new form. Alongside soulful ballads are energetic hard bop tracks like "A Likely Story," selected Swallow compositions such as "Dark Glasses," Carla Bley's gospel-inspired "Permanent Wave," and the Brazilian "Romance" by Dori Caymmi. The trio navigates this diverse repertoire with masterful ease. The experienced musicians effortlessly demonstrate their virtuosity, creating the impression that this demanding music unfolds almost by itself.
