Don’t get me wrong – there’s nothing wrong with a little darkness, but Aaron Parks’ spacious, optimistic playing is like a shaft of sunlight in the dense forest of contemporary piano trios.
The thirtysomething Seattle pianist is to the forefront of a generation of players who are rediscovering the American romanticism of the likes of Keith Jarrett and Pat Metheny. Find the Way is Parks' second recording for ECM – following his gutsy 2013 solo debut Arborescence – and it shimmers with bright, singing melodies.
The vastly experienced rhythm team of drummer Billy Hart and bassist Ben Street repeatedly find the road less travelled, responding to Parks' open-textured lyricism with searching, restive grooves that lead to hidden clearings in the music.
