Paul Bedal - Unfolding (2023)

Unfolding marks Bedal's first piano trio release. Stemming from their previous collaborations, bassist Matt Ulery and drummer Quin Kirchner create a hypnotic space for Bedal’s compositions. Paul cites “a few particularly beautiful performances” which would later be released as Kirchner’s Live at Pro Musica album, and Ulery’s Delicate Charms Live at the Green Mill to be an inspiration for writing new music and forming the trio.

During the gestation of the material, Bedal relocated to Brooklyn and continued to write music for the trio, flying back to play gigs, gradually honing in a set.

Unfolding was recorded in December of 2022 with Ken Christianson at Pro Musica in Chicago. Bedal reflects, “Ken establishes an easygoing environment and space to really dig in and make some great music, not to mention the recordings always sound pristine.” This intimate date captured the comfort and flexibility in which the trio can operate.

The compositions on Unfolding are a collage of moments and feelings spanning from the early pandemic lockdown to assimilating into a new fast-paced environment. All compositions were untitled while writing, but slowly evolved into themes often intertwined with nature, evident in song titles like "Streams," "Life on Ocean," "Clouds," "Luna Hermosa," and "April." The evolution of this trio and recording only seems natural and serves as a bridge for these past few years of transition encompassing marriage, a new city and recently becoming a dad.