Multi-instrumentalist and composer Nicholas Payton assembles a trio of visionaries with bassist/vocalist esperanza spalding and drummer Karriem Riggins on the album, TRIUNE, which also features guest appearances by Ivan Neville, Erica Falls, Nikki Glaspie, and Otis McDonald.

There is no shortage of remarkable trios in the musical landscape, but few, besides the pathbreaking trumpet player, keyboardist, and composer Nicholas Payton, could bring together three true visionaries and synergize them into one singular creative voice.

That’s just what Payton has done with TRIUNE, his exhilarating new album for Smoke Sessions Records, on which he’s joined by bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding and drummer Karriem Riggins.

“TRIUNE means ‘three in one,’ which is exactly how this trio functions,” Payton explains. “Each of us is a leader in our own right, but together we combine to form a unified sound.”

1. Unconditional Love [8:15]
2. Ultraviolet [6:59]
3. Jazz Is a Four-Letter Word [4:54]
4. Let It Ride [7:52]
5. Gold Dust Black Magic [7:20]
6. #bamisforthechildren [5:55]
7. Feed the Fire [7:49]

With Nicholas Payton, Esperanza Spalding, and Karriem Riggins being three of the most distinctive and innovative minds in modern creative music, this brilliantly sculpted new recording opens with the glowing Unconditional Love and then we get brought forth the structured smoothness of Ultraviolet, and the luxuriant Jazz Is a Four-Letter Word.

Along next is the easy grooved funk vibe of Let It Ride which is in turn backed seamlessly by the elegantly silky Gold Dust Black Magic, the euphorically-chanted #bamisforthechildren, the set coming to a close on the fervently rhythmical Feed the Fire.

Musicians:
Nicholas Payton - trumpet, flugelhorn, piano, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, vocals, tambourine, and handclaps
esperanza spalding - bass and vocals
Karriem Riggins - drums
Nikki Glaspie - vocals on “Ultraviolet”
Ivan Neville - vocals, organ, and Clavinet on #bamisforthechildren
Erica Falls - vocals on #bamisforthechildren
Otis McDonald - vocals on #bamisforthechildren

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