EyeShotJazz | Jazz Photography

Canadian-born pianist Kris Davis, a vital voice on the contemporary New York City scene, presented her Stone Trio, featuring composer and drummer Tyshawn Sorey and saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock Thursday night at Tula’s as part of the Earshot Jazz Festival. This was a surprisingly good trio. The music took awhile to get to me but then I was drawn in did not want it to stop. I wish I could have stayed for the second set but I needed to get back and post these photos. Hope they return to Seattle soon.

Davis’s music is winding and darkly energetic – an original voice. Her music is a mix of labyrinthine rhythms and melodic touches. Davis is a thoughtful composer with an ear toward the full realization of her music through cooperative group dynamics. Davis studied classical piano through the Royal Conservatory of Music, attended the Banff Centre for the Arts jazz program in 1997 and 2000, and continued studies on composition and extended piano techniques in New York City and Paris through grants from the Canada Council. Recent releases The Slightest Shift (2006) and Lifespan (2004) features Davis with saxophonist Tony Malaby, bassist Eivind Opsvik, and drummer Jeff Davis.

Ingrid Laubrock

Tyshawn Sorey