“Just think of what this guy saves on band overhead!” One can just hear the practical jazz listeners among us saying that as they take in the breathtaking ease with which Alan Chaubert shares his ample talents on trumpet and piano (at the same time, with zero overdubs) on his cleverly titled debut solo album Just the Three of Us – which to make sure we understand the surreal dynamic he’s creating, is subtitled Me, the Trumpet and the Piano.
While one could approach this kind of herculean effort as something of a gimmick because it’s never been done this artfully and powerfully, the multi-talented performer is simply finding new expression creating spirited, infectious and mostly easy swinging versions of a variety of standards by fusing the two great loves of his musical life.
The Swiss born Chaubert began playing trumpet at 12 and became a professional musician at 17 while studying piano; he has a degree from Geneva University and later studied at Berklee. From his liner notes, it appears that it’s also a way to share his appreciation for dual improvisation: “When two great jazz musicians improvise together, sometimes magic happens in those rare moments when they play as one. My goal with this album was to capture that kind of synchronicity – but through one musician.”
Once the sheer awe over the mechanics of what Chaubert has accomplished passes, listeners can simply enjoy the unique energy as he vibes in a trio (quartet?) setting with bassist Beldon Bullock and drummer Jon Di Fiore. He sets the tone for the playful interaction between his piano/trumpet and Fiore’s hypnotic drumming on a sly, strutting romp through Monk’s “Well You Needn’t” – a rapport that reaches even greater heights of funky coolness on a trumpet, bass and drum rendition of Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why.”
Chaubert’s set list features a second Monk tune, the silky, shuffling ballad “Misterioso,” three exquisite Bill Evans ballads (“Peace Piece,” “Turn Out the Stars,” “I Will Say Goodbye”) and classics by Charlie Haden, Michel Legrand and Ahmad Jamal’s trademark Latin classic “Poinciana.” Chaubert’s remarkable success with Just The Three of Us should inspire musicians to rethink the idea that you need to pick a single lane to be successful!
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