David Eyges Trio: Crossroads

Culled from two early ’80s recordings on his own label-1980’s The Arrow, a duo with saxophonist/flutist Byard Lancaster, and 1981’s Crossroads, with Lancaster and drummer Sunny Murray-this compilation showcases cellist David Eyges exploring some freewheeling, adventurous terrain on an instrument not normally associated with jazz.

Eyges exhibits an especially tight rapport here with Lancaster, who engages the cellist in some dynamic, highly interactive dialogues on the surging “Jumpin’ Jenny,” the idyllic “Sweetness Is Beauty,” the sparse, ECMish flute-cello duet on “The Arrow,” the haunting “Oasis” and the more urgent jamming vehicle “The Hill,” in which Eyges nimbly shifts from walking basslines to rhythmic chording to bowed unison lines that match Lancaster’s fluid alto sax work stride for stride. The cellist’s playing on these tracks, and particularly on “Cast a Long Shadow” with Lancaster and Murray, is uninhibited and bristling with a creative edge.

Originally Published December 1, 2000