Bill Goodwin - No Method (1990)

The trio, or three piece band is a favorite format of mine and I have played in a lot of them, notably with Leroy Vinnegar and Michael Melvoin, Melvoin and Jim Hughart, Red Mitchell and Tommy Flanagan, Hampton Hawes and Chuck Israels, Bill Dobbins and Michael Moore, and Hal Galper with Dave Holland and later Steve Gilmore. My own records have featured guitar trios with John Scofield and Stephen Swallow (Solar Energy) and Vic Juris with Tony Marino (Network).

Three is a magic number, leading to maximum interplay, an ever regenerating triangle. This trio uses a “conventional piano trio style” as a departure point but arrangements are open to all avenues of approach. This music is different every time it is played, it is a kind of “Structured freedom” or what I call “the no method, method.” This record was made on a Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis, Minn. while the trio was appearing at The Artists Quarter, a noted jazz club.

Pianist Hal Galper has been my friend since 1965, musically associated since 1973 and a bandmate since 1981 (in the Phil Woods Quintet). He is the perfect pianist to play in trio with, combining the best of “orchestral”, two-handed playing with exciting single lines. Hal is very fresh in his ideas, and is always moving forward to dramatic high points. Nobody does trio better. A fine composer-arranger, Hal is also a great accompanist and has played with many great artists: Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz and Cannonball Adderley.

Bassist Billy Peterson was introduced to Hal Galper and myself three days before the day we recorded this music, recommended for the engagement at The Artists Quarter by drummer Kenny Horst. The rapport between us was immediate. Billy has been a fixture on the music scene in Minneapolis for many years, functioning as a jazz artist, recording musician and producer. He is a great natural musician on bass and also plays piano and drums. Lately Billy has been traveling with rock singer-guitarist Steve Miller, and composer-singer-pianist Ben Sidran, and producing eclectic guitarist Leo Kottke.

Myself, Bill Goodwin have been with the Phil Woods Quartet and Quintet since 1974. Before that I worked with a lot of bands, including Charles Lloyd’s, Bobby Hutcherson’s, Paul Horn’s, Stan Getz’, Bill Evans’, Lew Tabackin’s, and many others. Lately I’ve been playing with The George Robert-Torn Harrell Quintet and producing records. (35 albums since 1980.)

The proximity of The Artists Quartet to the wonderful studio called “Creation Sound” led to the recording session. We set up and got sound. We then warmed up on Jimmy’s Tune. We did two takes on that and then one take on everything else. I think the music speaks for itself, and the three of us hope it says something to you. Peace.