Jon Cowherd Trio - Pride and Joy

Le Coq Records continues its exploration of the boundless piano trio setting with The Jon Cowherd Trio’s Pride and Joy, an exemplary session featuring three of the most imaginative, sensitive and wide-ranging artists in modern jazz: pianist Cowherd, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade. They’re joined on three tracks by saxophonist Chris Potter and percussionist Alex Acuña.
 
Pride and Joy follows in the spirit of its critically acclaimed 2021 predecessor, which teamed Patitucci with drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and pianist Bill Cunliffe. In its laudatory review, JazzTimes exclaimed that Vol. 1 “showcases the kind of magic that erupts when the right high-level players come together at the right time for an impromptu romp on the right material.”
 
Much the same can be said for this vibrant sequel, though where Cunliffe, Patitucci and Colaiuta were convening as a trio for the first time on that date (despite a long-shared history in various settings and combinations), Pride and Joy reunites a trio with deep roots together.
 
Cowherd and Blade have shared a close relationship for more than 25 years, ever since their college days at New Orleans’ Loyola University. The two co-founded the Grammy-nominated Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band, one of the most revered ensembles in contemporary music. It was through Blade that Cowherd met Patitucci, the drummer’s bandmate in the Wayne Shorter Quartet.