The release of
What Holds Us Up by drummer Pete Siers' trio is bittersweet. Recorded in May of 2018, it's the final recording with pianist and organist
Tad Weed. He died in August, losing a hard-fought battle with cancer. The trio, with tenor saxophonist Andrew Bishop, have worked in many capacities over more than two decades. That familiarity shows in the eight tunes here that include a pair of
Weed originals, a group improvisation, and five covers ranging from soul-jazz jams to standards.
Chicago saxophonist's
Frank Catalano's "Big Al's Theme and Soul Music" opens the set. The original is a knotty, fingerpopping, soul-jazz rumble complete with snare rimshots and driving post-bop piano. This trio's take begins with a deep blue Hammond organ and Siers' swinging through a low-tuned snare, hi-hat, and kick drum. When Bishop enters, he adds dramatic tension without forsaking the groove. He takes his solo outside with
Weed following as Siers holds it down with processional funky breaks. The title track is a group improv wherein
Weed broods, hovers, and speculates as Siers rolls and fills the space behind him. Bishop offers economy with long single tones that moan, whisper, groan, and float.
Thelonious Monk's "Let's Cool One," avoids the standard head-solos-head format, and instead proceeds around the lyric with rhythmic variations and speculative understatement.
Weed travels out, while Bishop pursues a series of alternate melodies that are based in the root. The other
Monk jam, the iconic "Monk's Dream," is offered more reverently, yet still hangs on the fringes of the compositional structure while remaining committed to the composer's bluesy sense of humor and canny lyricism.
Weed's "What Is" is playful. Bishop and Siers come out of the gate toying with bop before the organist adds tight, fleet-fingered arpeggios alongside fat, bushy basslines.
Leroy Vinnegar's "For Carl" is steeped in West Coast jazz. However, the rhythmic elements here are stretched to the breaking point thanks to the canny interplay between Siers and
Weed. Bishop's solo is warm and languid. The set closer is a tender, moody, almost laconic reading of "Polka Dots and Moonbeams," introduced with a spectral elegance by the organist. Siers brushes the rhythm on his snare as Bishop carefully pronounces each note with inventive, expressive phrasing and strident tonality.
Weed haunts the frame with ghostlike phrases, stuttered articulations, and atmospheric shading; it's a brave and painterly approach to harmony. It whispers the set out with class and soul.
What Holds Us Up is an innovative, clever approach to the standard jazz organ trio. More than that, however, it's a fitting memorial to
Weed's consummate artistry. ~ Thom Jurek