Sound Creation Trio plays at the Jazz Station in Eugene
- Matt Mayhall drums
- Mike Gamble guitar
- Andrew Jones bass
Existing in the broadband era is a tricky proposition for any artist — especially those with open minds and open ears to the many, many, many different styles and sounds accessible with just a few taps on a smartphone screen. How does a modern musician reckon with finding inspiration everywhere they listen? Portland’s Sound Creation Trio may have the answer. The three members of this group — guitarist Mike Gamble, bassist Andrew Jones, and drummer Matt Mayhall — have spent decades flitting between ensembles and collaborating with artists of all stripes. A short list: Aimee Mann, Charlie Haden, Kelli Schaefer, Jeff Parker, Shahzad Ismaily, Julia Holter, Laura Veirs. And their personal listening habits are equally voracious and varied. So when the three join together to perform and record as Sound Creation Trio, there are so many avenues open for them to explore. What comes out of this collaboration is a beautiful synthesis. The foundation of the two tracks on this new single from the trio is jazz, but threaded into each track are a multitude of styles. On the bluesy “TV Baby,” Gamble’s guitar evokes the sproing of surf and country music within his extended solo, while Mayhall tries on various R&B and soul grooves only to find they all manage to fit the song perfectly. And on “Hybrid Hearts,” the trio sizzles in a freeform mode before sliding softly into psychedelic waters fed by the tributaries of dub reggae and musique concrete. Through both, Jones acts as a bridge, using a bare minimum of notes that somehow provides the strongest support for his fellow players. If this all reads as complicated, the music will make perfect sense to your mind and soul. Follow the current of Sound Creation Trio and trust that you’ll be carried along safely to exactly the right place. Just don’t be surprised if you want to make that same journey again and again.
-Robert Ham
