It is a rare and satisfying feeling when musicians hear music together as one and anticipate phrases, complex harmonic motions, and rhythmic punctuations, and do it with a smile. It is a magical, musical atmosphere we create together, and it is why we love to play collectively as the AHA Trio. Bassist Jeremy Allen and drummer Steve Houghton demonstrate their individual, creative mastery in every performance. It is an honor and pleasure to learn from these gentlemen as we continue to evolve musically.
The song “Brother to Brother” is dedicated to my younger brother, Brian. His steadfast courage and great sense of humor in the face of a serious illness is a constant inspiration to our family and friends.
--Steve Allee
The challenge these days is to keep a group together over a long period of time, which is necessary in order to grow musically and develop an artistic identity. I feel fortunate to be in such a group with two great friends and exquisite musicians. Steve Allee brings his incredible writing and pianistic skills to our trio, while Jeremy Allen adds his limitless musicianship and bass artistry. I'm very grateful each and every time I get to play with these gentlemen. For this record, we've reworked a few of our favorite jazz standards and added some Allee originals to take you on what we feel is a swinging journey, filled with beautiful harmonies and deep interplay. I hope you enjoy our most recent offering by the AHA Trio.
--Steve Houghton
One of the things I most enjoy about playing music is finding those kindred spirits with whom everything just seems to work--the time feel, the shape of the performance, the way the soloist is both supported and supplied with inspiration--and my brothers in the AHA Trio fit this description. When we play together, it feels like the music flows effortlessly. Steve Allee has a unique compositional voice which he has developed over a lifetime of dedicated work, and Steve Houghton has an unerring sense of musicality that turns every performance into a unique and inspired experience. I feel joy every single time we play, whether in concert, in the studio, or just for fun. I hope we've captured some of that feeling on “Brother to Brother.”
--Jeremy Allen
credits
released October 29, 2016
Steve Allee -- piano
Steve Houghton -- drums
Jeremy Allen -- bass
Produced by Steve Houghton and Steve Allee
Recorded June 19 and 20, 2015, at Jazzville Studios, Nashville, Indiana
Engineered and mixed by Jake Belser
Mastered by Kim Pensyl, Cincinnati, Ohio
Steve Allee is a Yamaha Artist.
Steve Houghton plays Yamaha drums, Zildjian cymbals, Remo drumheads, and Vic Firth sticks.
Jeremy Allen plays D'Addario strings.
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