Trio Xolo Debuts with “In Flower, In Song”
The experimental improvising group Trio Xolo has made its recording debut with In Flower, In Song. The band, which says their intention is to “capture the essence of the moment through deep listening,” consists of bassist Zachary Swanson, saxophonist Derrick Michaels, and percussionist Dalius Naujo.
Swanson counts his influences as forward-thinking jazz improvisers, including William Parker, Ornette Coleman, and Sonny Rollins. The Rollins album Way Out West, which has a trio of the saxophonist with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Shelly Manne was a seminal record for him.
“Something about the bass, sax, drums format really [speaks] to me,” he told Neon Jazz. “[Trio Xolo] has been playing together as a trio for six years or so. Ever since we first played, I felt like the band was a comfortable playing environment, and I liked what was happening, so I had it in mind to document the band. We did the recording after only playing a handful of shows together. After we did the session, I took time away from the recording. When I came back to pick the selections, I had a fresh set of ears on it. I could hear all the improvs in a new light.”
In Flower, In Song is exploratory, with each musician listening deeply and reacting to create a musical conversation. Swanson sometimes chills in a groove and sometimes makes his bass wail. A highlight is the beautiful bass intro to “Anchored in Peace.”
In Flower, In Song is available now on CD and digital formats through Bandcamp.
In Flower, In Song Track List:
- Texcoco
- In Ruins
- Anchored in Peace
- Ritualistic
- A Mobius Strip
- Cropsey
- Gravesend
- Vantablack
- Obsidian Eucalyptus
