WHEE3Trio: In the Wheelhouse

Drummer Andy Wheelock is a welcome mainstay to the Colorado jazz drumming scene, and this recording proves that he belongs at the top of the heap of drummers making their way on the scene. This is wonderful sounding and supple piano trio that can go in any musical direction. Whether it's swinging, funky, elastic, or driving, they sound great. Wheelock and bassist Gonzalo Teppa work together like a hand in a glove. The addition of guitarist Gilad Hekselman really completes the instrumentation. Wheelock composed all (but one) of the tunes on this record, and his compositional approach is very welcome in these days of people putting everything but the kitchen sink into every tune they write. His compositions have a direction, patience, and a maturity to them. The fact that there are some tunes where Wheelock is playing the Ghanaian Gyil while looping and effecting the sound with guitar pedals makes this record even cooler. I love the tune "Kewo" for this exact reason. Hekselman's African guitar approach on "Kewo" just makes the song, and this song makes the record! This is one of the better drummer-led recordings that I have heard in recent memory. Huge congrats to the entire band of versatile pianist Walter Gorra, bassist Gonzalo Teppa, Andy Wheelock, and special guest Gilad Hekselman.