Bill Cunliffe Trio: (L-R) Dave Carpenter(b), Bill Cunliffe (p) and Paul Kreibich (d). (Photo Glenn A. Mitchell)

An all-time favorite, pianist Bill Cunliffe performed at Steamers, May 14th with bassist Dave Carpenter and drummer Paul Kreibich.  Cunliffe is a master musician with not only the piano, but as a composer and arranger as well.  His work shows all three aspects in every performance.  He can take a simpler standard tune and play it as though he wrote it.  I heard this exemplified in their opening number, “Nobody But Me,” by the great Jerome Kern. This tune has unorthodox changes, but with Cunliffe’s arranged version, it was still unique and still easy to identify and follow.  Carpenter’s bass solo showed the rich, full resonance he gets from his prized bass that he’s used many years.  Kreibich uses Chinese cymbals in his drumming. They are accentuated in most of his solos and assist in identifying his own playing style.   

Cunliffe mentioned a notable pianist, Elaine Elias, and an inspiring version she did of “Girl From Ipanema,” which the trio then demonstrated in smooth form. “The Way You Look Tonight” began with Cunliffe’s beautiful piano. After a perfectly well-timed bass solo, Cunliffe and Carpenter cooked up some creatively shared melodic counterpoint before ending this number.  Other tunes performed throughout the evening in magnificent style were: Billy Strayhorn’s “Chelsea Bridge” (a somewhat somber jazz classic), “Stella by Starlight,” and Wayne Shorter’s wonderful “Ana Maria.”  Carpenter’s bass playing wowed the audience during “Chelsea Bridge” with fine intonation, fast and perfect time intricacies.  Cunliffe dedicated an original composition to one of his favorite bassists, the late, great Andy Simpkins, “Sweet Andy.”  They had performed together at Steamers quite a few years back.   

Both Cunliffe and Carpenter were members of Buddy Rich’s band during the late ‘60s for a few years.  Remembering some charts that Oliver Nelson did for the band, Cunliffe told a true story of how these charts had already been written (and paid for) by other bands.  Rich caught the scam and Nelson took them all out except one, “In A Mellow Tone,” which they then played. Kreibich began “All of You” with a dynamic drumming sequence with final shared melodic phrases from Cunliffe and Carpenter. Finishing off the evening were “Tea For Two,” “My Funny Valentine,” and “Body and Soul.”  The audience enjoyed the trio immensely, as I did.  These guys are unique and should definitely be seen and heard. We’re looking for a return to Steamers soon.  Cunliffe has quite a few fantastic CDs out. See his website: www.billcunliffe.com

Reprinted with permission from L.A. Jazz Scene, June 2008 issue. Glenn A. Mitchell is a bassist and reviewer living in Los Angeles.