As the 1990s came to an end, Dominic Duval and Jay Rosen, drummer, joined forces with Joe McPhee, an improviser who was also interested in bass. This group’s repertoire includes classics by Monk and Ornette, Freddie Hubbard and standards, but it isn’t exactly pushing the boundaries. Trio X is a different story. Trio X shares a love for familiar tunes but is refined with avant-garde sensibilities. McPhee has formed unlikely, but highly rewarding partnerships with everyone from Evan Parker up to William Parker. Duval was Cecil Taylor’s bassist for a lot of the past decade. His frequent companion Rosen has also helped to light the flames of veteran musicians like Sonny Simmons or Charles Gayle. Trio X was founded at Vision Festival III 1998. Its name and inspiration came from the unknowable. http://joemcphee.com
