Hymn

Seattle bassist Hamar must have had a premonition. Just how would a trio without a drummer go over? And so, on this recording, he works only with Geoffrey Keezer, piano, and Todd DelGiudice, alto saxophone. Without a drummer, there?s a stronger sense of intimacy and communication among the three players, and the result is impressive. The song list includes a few tips of the hat to fellow bassists with ?Falling Grace,? a near standard by Steve Swallow; ?Blues For J.G.,? written for another of Hamar?s influences, John Pattitucci; and finally, there?s ?Big Fat Hen,? a tribute to bassists Buddy Catlett and Milt Hinton, both of whom had some history with the phrase. The trio also plays a few well-chosen standards. ?Giant Steps? and ?It Could Happen to You? wouldn?t at first glance seem to fit with one another in a medley, but this three-some puts them together as though it was somehow ?meant to be.? Billy Strayhorn?s enduring classic, ?Isfahan,? is a perfect vehicle for Hamar?s stirring bass solo, and a Songbook America tune, ?Comes Love,? gets a jaunty, eyebrow raising treatment. There?s a lot of variety, individuality and, overall, a joyful spirit to this recording. What a nice debut for Jon Hamar.