The intimate downstairs performance space of the Cornelia Street Cafe provided a fitting atmosphere for the Eri Yamamoto Trio on a cold, brisk Sunday night. The trio, comprised of Yamamoto (piano/composer), David Ambrosio (bass) and Ikuo Takeuchi (drums), played two sets, scattered with compositions from past albums such as In Each Day Something Good, Duologue and Redwoods, as well as unreleased tracks.
The first set opened with "Singing the Melody," penned by Yamamoto in response to her self-proclaimed inability to sing. As a complement to the haunting feel of "Singing," "Every Day," with its playful opening melody and time changes throughout, highlighted Yamamoto’s ability as she toyed with the theme. One feels the influence of Monk soaking the piece, with its repetition of a theme that is neither deconstructed nor overly simple – simply explored.
Written following a walk through Central Park last year as the bleak winter began to give way to the rebirth of spring, "Green Grove’s" bouncy, Guaraldi-esque progression – with Yamamoto and Ambrosio trading variations of the bassline – clearly evoked the emotions associated with a glimpse of new growth. "Up and Down," written by Takeuchi, featured a dark-yet-modest percussion opening accentuated by Yamamoto's gentle exploration exploration of tempo and melody. The composition evolved into a tension-release jam as Ambrosio took the reins, evoking images of a struggle before we are eased out of the argument as the theme reappears.
Once again calling upon the gray winter skies as inspiration, "Sparkle Song" constructed its main theme out of the light, airy introduction as Takeuchi employed a barehanded approach to the beat. Double-voiced phrasing avoided the theme and simply floated along to its muted conclusion.
The second set opened with the up-tempo "Subway Song," featuring Yasuno Katsuki on Euphonium, whose improvisational exploration of the melody danced along with the piano and concluded with some riffing between Katsuki and Takeuchi. The bluesy and nostalgic “Happy Holidays" followed by the upbeat swingbop of "You Are Welcome" carried us to the final offering of the night, "Redwoods." Inspired by the scent of California's Muir Woods, "Redwoods" provided a beautiful, cinematic conclusion to this flowing journey.