JOHN ADAMS – TRIOS TWO 　　“Trios Two” is an incredible collection of four of the five trio combinations as were featured on John Adams’ “Trios” CD (2006). Each trio, nimbly led by bassist and producer John Adams, stakes out its own unique musical “turf,” while the performers' virtuosity, experience, passion, and creativity shines through. 　　The listener will be drawn in to the interaction and energy of each of these exuberant live performances, where sometimes even laughter and mutual encouragement on the stage can be overheard. The arrangements of these stalwart standards range from thoroughly prepared written forms, to impromptu ideas being fleshed out corporately in real time. 　　Aside from exceptional stylistic versatility and skills as a bassist, one of Adams’ best attributes as a band-leader is allowing each group to take shape based on the unique musical personalities of each performer. 　　One especially noteworthy aspect of “Trios Two” (and “Trios”) is the posthumous appearance of legendary saxman Marchel Ivery, who died in 2007. His fiery legacy of jazz tenor sax lives on in these dazzling performances (“Bye Bye Blackbird,” & “Giant Steps” on this release, and “Good Bait” and “My Shining Hour” on the “Trios” project). 　　 　　Recordings: John Adams, Danny Jacobs, & David Sweeris 　　Mixing & Mastering: Danny Jacobs 　　Cover painting: “TRIOS TWO” by Jennifer Kuenzler 　　Layout and design: Amy Fuller/Flint, Inc. 　　 　　THE PERFORMERS: 　　John Adams/Bass - As an accomplished acoustic and electric bassist, John Adams is one of the Southwest's most versatile and in-demand musicians. He holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of North Texas, where for ten years he was also the jazz bass instructor. He is also active as producer, arranger, composer, music contractor, and workshop clinician. John Adams plays and endorses LaBella Strings. 　　 　　Through his “Sessionbasstracks.com” website, John provides bass parts for recording clients ranging across the US, as well as internationally. He has backed and/or recorded for a wide array of artists including Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, Woody Herman, Randy Brecker, Marvin Stamm, Joe McBride, Bobby Lyle, Chet Baker, Clark Terry, Dave Liebman, Phil Driscoll, Wayne Watson, and others. His broad musical background has also included symphonic and pit/show work. 　　 　　Through his Congruent Music label, Adams has released eight highly acclaimed and widely varied CD projects, including the stunning “John and Mark’s Excellent Rock Adventure,” (2012), and “Trios Two” (2013), sequel to the “Trios” CD (’06), which feature five different trio instrumentation combinations, each with a compelling rapport. Adams’ jazz CDs have received radio airplay on over 160 stations nationwide, and have been prominently featured on various online radio formats. His debut "Jump Shot" CD ('96) features New York and regional artists, and showcases John’s formidable writing skills. "Fly By Night" ('99) features an exceptional acoustic-jazz quartet in an intimate club setting, and the tasteful and sultry, "With You In Mind" CD ('01) showcases studio/jazz musicians from Dallas, Austin, and L.A. The “Live!" CD ('04) captures the intensity and variety of the group in concert performances. The “Thumbs Up,” CD (’09) is a state-of-the-art studio production with a fresh, contemporary sound, exciting originals and stunning arrangements of some surprising classics. 　　 　　BAND BIOGRAPHIES: 　　Jason Bucklin/Guitar - Jason Bucklin's rare and powerful blend of expressiveness, virtuosity and passion in an extremely wide range of styles has made its mark on the Dallas music scene for over 30 years. He has performed with groups of many genres including Bill Tillman, Eric Tagg, Cafe Noir, and jazz artists such as Joe McBride, James Clay, Marchel Ivery, and Shelley Carroll. He is also one of Dallas' most recorded guitarists, appearing on hundreds of regional and national commercials, and independent CD-releases. Jason Bucklin is equally at home on electric or acoustic guitars, as well as the electric bass, and has performed regularly with numerous pop-cover bands and country-music artists. He currently maintains a large studio of private guitar students in Garland, TX. 　　 　　Mike Drake/Drums - Originally from Durban, S. Africa, drummer Mike Drake has performed and recorded music of virtually every style and genre. Mike’s driving and musical approach have placed him in concerts backing an array of artists such as Rosemary Clooney, The Fifth Dimension, The Platters, The Inkspots, The Mamas and the Papas, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Kenny Rankin, and many more. Mr. Drake has also performed with numerous touring groups and house-bands, such as at the Fairmont Hotel’s Venetian Room, as well as musical productions and on commercial recordings and jingles. He also has extensive experience as an arranger and writer, and is one of the region’s premier drumset instructors at colleges and universities such as The University of North Texas, University of Texas-Arlington, Eastfield College, and Texas Wesleyan University. 　　 　　Marchel Ivery/Tenor Sax – Legendary, and now deceased Dallas jazzman Marchel Ivery left his mark as a significant link in the long and illustrious line of “Texas tenors.” His name is often mentioned in the same breath as Fathead Newman and Illinois Jacquet for his masterful blending of blues moves in the traditional be-bop music he played. Ivery recorded two solo albums for Dallas indie label “Leaning House Jazz,” and was a big part of that label's impact and reputation as a provider of top-quality, straight-ahead jazz. Art Blakey once called him "fire personified," a fitting summary tribute. Marchel Ivery’s performances on John Adams’ “Trios” (2006) and “Trios Two” CD projects (2013) are examples of his indelible contribution to every musical setting his was part of. 　　 　　Brian Piper/Piano - Brian is one of the most sought-after studio/commercial writers and keyboardists in the southwest. First as a vice-president and writer for Axcess Broadcasting Inc., and now as owner of his own production company (BPM) he has written and recorded literally thousands of pieces of music for everything from jingles to films to albums. Illustrative of Piper’s musical diversity is his long-standing position he held as pianist for country star Jerry Jeff Walker. Mr. Piper has played and conducted for a vast array of local and international artists and groups, including Rosemary Clooney, Eartha Kitt, Cab Calloway, Joel Grey, Kris Kristofferson, The Ink Spots, The Dallas Summer Musicals, and the Vocal Majority. Brian brings a wonderful combination of virtuosity, creativity, and musical integrity to every performance. 　　 　　Ed Soph/Drums - His drumming provides a rare and dynamic combination of technical virtuosity, rhythmic ingenuity, and musical sensitivity. A native of Houston, Ed Soph studied classical percussion as well as jamming with local jazz greats Arnett Cobb, Jimmy Ford and Don Wilkerson. As an alumnus of North Texas State's One O'Clock Lab Band, Ed moved on to New York. From there he toured and recorded internationally with jazz legends such as Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Bill Evans, Joe Henderson, Dave Liebman, Slide Hampton, Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, and many others. Since returning to Texas in 1987, Ed Soph serves as head of the jazz percussion department at the University of North Texas, and maintains a busy schedule as a performer, recording artist and clinician nationwide. 　　 　　Jason Thomas/Drums – Jason “JT” Thomas began playing at age 3 and by age 7 was already performing weekly in gospel church services. Also during his elementary school years JT began playing from time to time with the jazz band at Weatherford (TX) College. At the age of 16, Mr. Thomas began performing professionally, in a vast array of genres from Top-40/cover bands, blues, to rock, latin and jazz groups of every stripe. Jason Thomas regularly tours with noted artists such as Roy Hargrove (RH Factor), Marcus Miller, Fred Hammond, Tamela Mann, & many others. When not on the road JT maintains dense including recording session work, as well as playing for “The Marcus & Joni Show” on the Daystar Television Network, church gigs, and performing with many with different local DFW bands and jazz groups. 　　 　　Lee Tomboulian/keyboard – Lee Tomboulian now resides in the New York City area, following a position on the faculty at the highly reputed Lawrence University. Lee is fluent in a wide diversity of styles, including jazz, classical and music-theater. His playing exudes creativity, rhythmic-depth, and humor, delivered with striking technique. He has a B.A. in Composition from the University of Arkansas/Little Rock, and a M.M. degree from the University of North Texas, where he was the pianist in the One O' Clock Lab Band. He has performed with a variety of artists such as Bob Hope, Randy Brecker, Marc Johnson, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Peter Erskine, Sheila Jordan, Rich Little, Frank Gorshin, Pharoah Sanders, Steve Swallow, and others. He also leads an exciting, original Latin-jazz group called CIRCO, which has released two CD projects, with growing critical acclaim. 　　 　　All songs on the full "TRIOS TWO" CD album were arranged by John Adams and the performers, and used by license/permission from the publishers: 　　LOVE FOR SALE (Cole Porter), WARNER BROS. MUSIC 　　I’VE GOT THE WORLD ON A STRING (Koehler/Arlen), S.A. MUSIC/BUGHOUSE MUSIC/OBO TED KOEHLER MUSIC CO 　　ONE NOTE SAMBA (Mendonca/Jobim), SONGS OF UNIVERSAL, INC. 　　BLACK ORPHEUS (Luiz Bonfa), CHAPPEL & CO. 　　NORWEGIAN WOOD (Lennon/McCartney), SONY/ATV TUNES, LLC (Northern Songs Catalog) 　　THE LADY IS A TRAMP (Rodgers/Hart), CHAPPEL & CO./WILLIAMSON MUSIC CO. 　　I LOVE YOU (Cole Porter), CHAPPEL & CO. 　　ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Hilliard/Fain), TUNECORE PUBLISHING/ OBO IAMEMMA PUBLISHING 　　I HEAR A RHAPSODY (Fragos/Baker/Gasparre) WARNER-TAMERLANE PUB CORP./OBO SCREEN GEMS-EMI MUSIC, INC. 　　BYE BYE BLACKBIRD (Henderson/Dixon) BUGHOUSE MUSIC/OBO OLDE CLOVER LEAF MUSIC/RAY HENDERSON MUSIC CO., INC. 　　GIANT STEPS (John Coltrane), JOWCOL MUSIC, LLC.