John Bishop Piet Verbist & Bram Weijters Antwerp - ORIGIN82883 - Jazz - par Origin Records

Carrying on a wide and varied career over several decades, it's from membership in several long-lived trios where, it could be argued, Seattle drummer John Bishop found his ultimate musical voice. With NY pianist Hal Galper's acclaimed trio over the last 15 years, the band Scenes with guitarist John Stowell for another 20, or the piano trio New Stories which started in the mid-80s, each provided a committed vision and a focus on the collective voice. With that, it's no surprise that Bishop would deliver another trio as the first album under his own name in 15 years. First meeting pianist Bram Weijters and bassist Piet Verbist in Antwerp in 2010 through trumpeter Chad McCullough, that quartet went on to do yearly tours, performing 100+ concerts, and releasing 3 albums over its 8 years. Continuing yearly trips to Antwerp following the pandemic, the idea of a trio recording with Piet and Bram came in a flash of gratitude for their friendship, musicianship and the ongoing adventures that the first Antwerp visit sparked. Theirs is a sound evolved from mutual respect and the joy of creation.