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The vibraphone-led Wee Trio aren’t pioneers when it comes to hijacking postbop fundamentals with ideas gleaned from pop music, but over the last few years they’ve proven themselves to be impressive adepts at the game. As the group’s lead melodic voice, vibraphonist James Westfall has maintained and distilled a crisp and concise improvisational flair, and that sharpness has benefitted greatly from the dynamic, shape-shifting grooves meted out by bassist Dan Loomis and drummer Jared Schonig; driven by that rhythmic engine, he has little choice but to be fleet. Considering how much time the group spends on the road—they’re back in Chicago this weekend, performing tonight and tomorrow at the Green Mill—it should come as little surprise that they’ve chosen to release a live album, and the new Live at the Bistro (Bionic) captures Wee Trio at its fluid, agile best.
Today’s playlist:
