Flutist
Holly Hofmann and pianist
Bill Cunliffe are on their third time around formally in the recording studio, even though they've performed with each other numerous times for 20 years.
Three's Company does, in fact, include four duet performances, but the other half of the tracks show up in trio settings, featuring one cut apiece with violinist
Regina Carter, trumpeter
Terell Stafford, clarinetist
Ken Peplowski, or drummer
Alvester Garnett. There's a mix of predictability and certain surprise in these standards and originals, as you expect from seasoned veterans seeking new horizons.
Cunliffe and
Hofmann have always strived for perfection, but also offer a great deal of lyrical depth and substance as these thoroughly professional mainstream jazz players do their thing. Of the duets, they do a quaint two-step version of "Too Late Now," showcase the
Cunliffe tribute to the late
Jorge Dalto on a
Chick Corea-ish, Spanish heart-styled "Dalto" especially from the pianist's solo, go classical on Gabriel Fauré's somber ballad "Pavane," and close with another
Cunliffe original (there are four on the date,) the simple "Farewell."
Carter's violin is always robust, but here stretches out for the nine-minute, melancholy but lucid version of "Star Crossed Lovers," mixing in some counterpoint with
Hofmann.
Peplowski's feature "Reunion" departs from expected strict swing into a modernistic 6/8 modal framework, loaded with staccato accents, while
Stafford's playful, snappy trumpet identifies the title selection,
Hofmann's lone composition, and the most jazz-oriented tune here. Where drummer
Garnett's strength lies in his flexibility providing traditional to contemporary rhythms, "Sweet Andy" is more of a post-bop jam, with everybody cutting loose, inspiring
Cunliffe and
Hofmann to play a fleet unison line. While there's nothing groundbreaking about this album, the individuality of each player forms a mutual bond, and a unified whole without a bassist or central timekeeper.
Cunliffe and
Hofmann are always in good company together, but here they raise the stakes on what sounds like a very comfortable union, producing a winning product. ~ Michael G. Nastos