A lyrical and colorful piano trio - Roundabout is a mixture of refreshing originals and expressive interpretations of standards with a modern awareness.

9 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Bebop, JAZZ: Traditional Jazz Combo



Details:
'Roundabout' represents the initial recording of the Sameer Ramchandran Trio. Here, pianist Sameer Ramchandran is joined by bassist Dominic Duval and drummer Newman Taylor Baker. The recording is a mixture of Ramchandran's refreshing originals and the group's expressive interpretations of jazz standards. Duval is mainly known for his creative improvisational endeavors for the CIMP label (although here he is showing a much different facet of his playing altogether), while Baker is an educator and member of numerous ensembles in the New York City area. Ramchandran's fluid melodies and harmonies are given solid support by Duval's sometimes adventurous and always inventive grounding in the bass. Baker's pristine percussive backdrop provides a colorful atmosphere that seems to provide a wonderful frame in which the music falls. All three are in fine form and each is given ample room to improvise and interpret the material thoroughly.

Ramchandran and Duval had been playing together at a jam session in the New York City area in earnest for about two years, although they had known each other for a longer period than that. Baker has been a fixture on the New York scene for sometime now, filling out the trio after Ramchandran had heard and met him at a venue in New York City's East Village. Baker was a natural fit as he and Duval had worked together prior to 'Roundabout' on a few occasions. The three recorded together on Roverbird Recordings not long afterwards.


"There are a lot of good things going on here. Itâs time to sit up and take notice of this trio." - Jerry D'Souza, All About Jazz

"One note glides into the next while he delivers the music effortlessly...Ramchandran's seamless grand piano keyboard attack translates into a heart-rending experience." Jim Santella, Jazz Improv

"This is a superb recording from a very talented pianist in the Bill Evans style. Sameer Ramchandran guides his listeners through a compilation of beautiful choices, ably assisted by Dominic Duval on bass and Newman Taylor Baker on drums, with all the style and panache of first class musicians. His treatment of Very Early is both sensitive and skillful and what a pleasure it is to hear The Summer Knows again played so well. I thoroughly enjoyed this album and have added it to my playlist having already played it several times on my national jazz program "A Jazz Hour" which goes out weekly across Australia to over 181 stations, I will continue to play it forever. It is magic!" - Barry O'Sullivan Producer/Presenter of "A Jazz Hour" across Australia

"Sameer Ramchandran is a young player bubbling with energy, whose largely lyrical ideas seem perfectly suited to his colleagues' freedoms...A good disc by a new name worth watching" - Jason Bivins, Cadence Magazine, November 2006

âThis is a superb recording for a debut C.D. Mr. Ramchandran and his two colleagues are terrific from first to last. The interpretations of standards works well and the arrangements are fresh and lively, the Musicians interweave extremely well and complement each other with fluidity and understanding. The playing on Mr. Ramchandran's originals is also top class and these tracks are âno mere stand alone'sâ, but remain melodic and fresh. There is no doubt that I will feature several tracks from this C.D. on forthcoming Programmes. Top quality, I look forward to the follow up.â -John Reid, Keith Community Radio 102.8 F.M. Keith Banffshire Scotland