“Strange Heavens”: Linda May Han Oh’s Chordless Trio Explores the Pull of Familiar Struggles
Linda May Han Oh has announced a new album that wrestles with an existential problem: why do humans tend to choose a familiar hell over a strange heaven? It’s an issue that hinders us in nearly every aspect of life.
“We all experience how easy it is to be lulled into the comfort of something that may actually be quite negative and detrimental to our well-being,” she explains. “We see that often in our daily lives, but I also see it in politics and in grander aspects of humanity.”
The bassist teamed up with trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and drummer Tyshawn Sorey to tackle that idea on Strange Heavens. The album, which is set for release on August 22nd, is Oh’s first release to feature a chordless trio since her 2009 debut, Entry. Akinsmuire was on her first album, but Sorey was not. He has, however, been a consistent collaborator for the last few years.
“Both Ambrose and Tyshawn have so much available to pull from as far as technique, sound and dynamics,” Oh says. “But they also have ridiculous ears, so everything that they do is unique to the moment and unique to the space. On top of that, there’s a sense of time and groove and the ability to make this music sing, so you always have to be ready to take advantage of the moment.”
The trio’s incredible group improvisations bring life to fresh compositions and two songs written by fellow women composers: Geri Allen’s “Skin” and Melba Liston’s “Just Waiting.” While songs like “Noise Machinery” recreate the clattering sounds of everyday life, many of the songs have a folk-like quality to them. Four songs come together as an informal suite that draws inspiration from images out of Australian author Shaun Tan’s graphic novel The Arrival.
“I wanted this repertoire to be easily memorized and internalized,” Oh explains. “Playing in chordless trios is invigorating and rewarding, in that I have freedom when I solo, but I also have a responsibility to make sure that there’s clarity in what I’m saying and the story is being told.”
Strange Heavens will be out on August 22nd. Until then, she will be busy on the road performing with her trio, Michael Mayo, Vijay Iyer, Geoff Keezer, and more. Visit her website for full tour dates.
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
