Bass proves once again that he is a musician of rare intelligence and emotional range. . . Trio Nuevo No. 2 pulses with rhythmic vitality and harmonic nuance, blending compositional innovation with expressive depth. Bass, more than just a seasoned player, is a resilient artist who speaks the language of jazz fluently and, on this record, he makes it sing.”
—Kyle Simpler (All About Jazz)
Seems everyone likes to refer to full length albums as their own unique journeys, but on Vol. 2, the Trio Nuevo takes that concept quite literally (twice!), first on the playful and plucky, increasingly dramatic eight and a half minute romp “Latin Journey” (based on three previously existing pieces, including Bass’ own “Mi Montuno”) and a hypnotic, exciting “Journey With Bach,” which seamlessly melds excerpts from “Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor” and “Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue” as a springboard for improvisation.
—Jonathan Widran (JW Vibe)
“Pianist and composer Dave Bass leads a dynamic ensemble featuring bassist Tyler Miles and drummer Steve Helfand through a vibrant exploration of jazz textures and rhythms on Trio Nuevo, Vol 2. Unlike his previous effort, this production does not include vocalists, but focuses on the trio which moves effortlessly between lyrical ballads, hard-swinging passages, and Latin-infused grooves, all tied together by Bass’s sophisticated harmonic sensibilities. The set is a nice mix of mostly original compositions by Bass with some nicely constructed arrangements of tunes Bud Powell, Wayne Shorter, Lennie Tristano, Johnny Mercer and Rube Bloom. The synergy between the musicians and the music results in a recording that offers a fresh perspective on the art of the piano trio.”
—The Jazz Page
'“This vibrantly soulful new recording opens on the fervently supple Legrand/Lester Left Town and then we get the luxuriant Heart Above My Head, the sprightly Frevo and both the resplendent Melquíades and the aptly-entitled Latin Journey are then brought forth.
Along next is the languishing beauty found within Questions and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the flirtatiously-arced Trinkle Twinkle, a dutiful confidence of Fools Rush In and the bountiful Dance Of The Infidels, the set rounding out on the veritably anthemic Journey With Bach, closing on the melodiously propelled Lennie’s Pennies. “
—Anne Carlini
“The material is a strange mish mash (and I use the phrase as both explanatory and complimentary) of new and old. Bass' own Legrand entwines with Wayne Shorter's Lester Left Town to become Legrand/Lester Left Town. Clever eh? Bass liked Johnny Mercer's lyric from Fools Rush in and extracted the phrase Heart Above my Head as the title of one of his own compos. A few tracks down the line he plays the original and keeps the title and the lawyers from his door.
Particularly impressive is the makeover he gives to JSB's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor and the same guy's Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue. Bass calls it “Journey With Bach,” and it's a roller coaster of a ride”
—Bebop Spoken Here (UK) by Lance Liddle
“It’s a joy to listen to Dave Bass. His mastery of technique paints each tune with vivid colors. Pianist Dave Bass has composed some beautiful music for this project. His tune “Heart Above My Head” is a lovely ballad that features an impressive double bass solo by Tyler Miles.. . . Bass has a beautiful touch on the piano. His style is definitive, with his reference to the treble clef making the notes tinkle like wind chimes. . . Every tune is superbly played, melding bebop, classical and Latin music together like a string of expensive pearls.”
—L.A. Jazz Scene by Dee Dee McNeil
“This is a splendid, joyful, intriguing album. A captivating vitality and melodic intensity marks Dave Bass's piano playing. He immerses himself in each piece, which draws the listener in and carries them forward. The tight synergy between Tyler Miles (bass) and Steve Helfand (drums) drives the music. The musical selections span diverse jazz composers: Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell and Wayne Shorter. The rhythms range from Latin and straight-ahead bop to Cuban. This variation in theme and mode is evident throughout, where each track, from "Lester Left Town" onwards, possesses its own unique shape and feel.”
—Jack Kenny (All About Jazz)
"Bass offers a multifaceted recording that celebrates the breadth of jazz expression. From bebop burners to Latin explorations and classical-infused musings, the trio navigates the shift in terrain with precision and soul. . . Dave Bass's composition "Melquíades" has a Latin pulse and is a mysterious and rhythmically intricate number that unfolds like a dream sequence. Bass displays his fondness for modal textures and subtle dynamic shifts, floating over the Latin beat established by Helfand.”
- All About Jazz's (Pierre Giroux)
“The pianist’s big tent is home to a scad of pieces from distinct backgrounds, and the ease with which he binds them for this lively jaunt is as important to the music’s character as his cohort’s collective panache. The newly released Vol. 2 reveals its authority by making seemingly disparate pieces flaunt their common denominator: an unmistakable effervescence… a clever enterprise, indeed.
Filling your palette with an overabundance of hues might render a clumsy outcome if you don’t watch your step. Fret not: On the second album by his Trio Nuevo project, Dave Bass knows where every footfall should land. The pianist’s big tent is home to a scad of pieces from distinct backgrounds (hardbop, Brazilian, classical, pop, Monk, a blend of Cuban/Spanish motifs), and the ease with which he binds them for this lively jaunt is as important to the music’s character as his cohort’s collective panache. Bass waxes eclectic but soundly retains a grip on his through-line. Just as robust as its 2024 predecessor, the newly released Vol. 2 reveals its authority by making seemingly disparate pieces flaunt their common denominator: an unmistakable effervescence. Bud and Bach share space just as cozily as Egberto Gismonti and Ricky Nelson. The leader’s measured attack amplifies the oomph of bassist Tyler Miles and drummer Steve Helfand, and while the approach is pointedly mainstream, the trio’s sharp dynamics provide a key element, balancing a wisp of obviousness that wafts through the program. San Francisco septuagenarian Bass also has a yen for Latin accents. “Melquíades” gives the titular Márquez character a sensual groove, and Gismonti’s “Frevo” prances with a subtle flamboyance. Braided through the moody existentialism of “Questions” and the reflective bounce of “Heart Above My Head,” it casts Vol. 2 as a clever enterprise, indeed.
- Downbeat Magazine (Jim Macnie)