Jazz Improv

by Dave Miele

STEVE ALLEE Trio

Dragonfly

     Steve Allee is a modern jazz piano player with influences far and wide. On his latest trio release, Dragonfly, Allee pays tribute to three musicians who have been influential to him, namely Bill Evans, Thad Jones and Oscar Peterson. He has grouped three selections which bring to his mind these three musicians under the title of a "Dedication Suite". He also covers "X & Y", a tune by the British rock band Coldplay. While these influences seem disparate, there is something that remains homogenous through these tunes and Allee's original compositions. That something is Allee's unique style and voice on the piano. The individual nuances of Allee's musicianship are present on each and every track on Dragonfly. The trio is rounded out by two fine musicians: Bill Moring on bass and drummer Tim Horner. Together these three men present a program of modern jazz with tinges of straight ahead, Latin and pop styles. Allee's compositions and arrangements are hip  yet commercial. Dragonfly is a thoroughly enjoyable disc, from start to finish.

     The disc opens with "Bus to Belmopan", one of many originals by Allee. The tune begins with a bass heavy piano vamp, pitted against energetic Latin drums. Special guest Rich Perry plays tenor on this rolling tune, doubling Allee on the melody. Perry, who has played with both Maria Schneider and the Village Vanguard Orchestra, adds an extra element to the fullness o Allee's trio. His solo is powerful; Allee's is delivered with a light touch without lacking in intensity. The title track (also written by Allee) follows, beginning with Tim Horner's burnin' fast drums. This quasi-Latin tune has a plaintive melody. The feel switches to half time funk for Bill Moring's bass solo. Horner then takes center stage, soloing around a piano vamp. The feel switches yet again to a fast swing for Allee's solo. Next, the tempo and intensity come down for a gorgeous ballad rendition of "Somewhere", from West Side Story. Allee is clearly just as at home playing gentle ballads as the more energetic tunes which opened Dragonfly. "Yummy", another original, is described in the liner notes by the composer himself as a "happy-go-lucky-modern-day boogaloo". This tune also features Rich Perry who takes a funky solo, followed by both Allee and Moring. "Morning Glory" is another tune by Allee. This one features a bass line vamp and is set in a straight eighth note feel. The melody is catchy and commercial, without being "bubble gum".

     Allee shows himself to be a fine arranger with his rendition of Coldplay's "X & Y". He sets the tune as a loping waltz, with an interesting harmonic approach. The unorthodox selection fits perfectly well within the context of the disc. The three tunes which follow comprise Allee's "Dedication Suite". The first of these is "Conversation with Bill", a tune Allee wrote with legendary pianist Bill Evans in mind. This tune is handled in the style of Evans' classic trio, with a dynamic curve that begins gently with Horner playing brushes and builds into something much more powerful. The band plays in the highly interactive style frequently associated with Bill Evans. "Thaddeus" is dedicated to Thad Jones and his particularly unique arranging style. Some of Allee's harmonic choices sound as though they could be reductions of one of Jones' scores. "If I Were a Bell" is dedicated to Oscar Peterson and the band plays the number at a break-neck pace, in a traditional swing feel. Allee manages to retain his unique identity while bringing to mind traces of the piano legend's style. The disc closes with "Hip Factor", a fusion-esque tune which features Allee on electric keyboard.

     Steve Allee and his trio cover a wide range of styles and feels on Dragonfly. They sound equally as comfortable in each environment. Yet they sound like a working unit, not a quickly thrown together band searching for a home. From tune to tune the band shifts its approach slightly while retaining their musical sensibilities. These sensibilities allow for interesting tracks regardless of the style in which the band plays. Allee presents the full picture of a musician; from arranger to composer to soloist he has the right skills and creativity for each job. All are on full display on Dragonfly.