Artist description Piano, cello and soprano saxophone weave in and out of Bach’s rich melodies and harmonies with elegant improvisations on nine chorales.

Music Style Crossover Classical, New Age

Musical Influences Keith Jarrett, Ralph Towner, Oregon, Jan Garbarek

Artist History Before he even reached the age of 20, pianist/ composer Ira Stein had already signed his first recording contract and released his first album on Windham Hill Records, ELEMENTS (1982). In collaboraton with oboist Russel Walder, he went on to record two more albums, TRANSIT (1986) and UNDER THE EYE (1990). The duo toured extensively throughout the United States. In 1991, Stein formed a new group which features the original combination of piano, cello, and soprano saxophone. The new music is a highly melodic acoustic mix where jazz meets classical- a dynamic balance of form and improvisation. The group released CAROUSEL (1992) and then SPUR OF THE MOMENT (1994) on Narada Records. Their most recent recording, BACH IMPROVISATIONS, was recorded live in concert at Yoshi's, an internationally-renown jazz club in Oakland, California. This highly original album features lyrical and elegant improvisations on nine Bach Chorales. It was released in 1999 on the Lost Time Records label. All three musicians have extensive backgrounds in both jazz and classical music. On soprano saxophone is Dann Zinn whose professional credits include performances with Freddie Hubbard, Toshiko Akiyosho, and Joe Henderson. He also has received top prizes at major music festivals. On cello is Joseph Hebert, an accomplished and versatile musician who has played with such artists as Leontyne Price, Stevie Wonder, and Natalie Cole, and has appeared with several majo symphony orchestras. Ira Stein is currenly the principal accompanist at the Catholic Community of Pleasanton in Pleasanton, California, where Joseph Hebert is the Music Director.

Group Members Ira Stein- piano, Joseph Hebert- cello, Dann Zinn- soprano saxophone

Instruments piano, cello, soprano saxophone

Albums Elements (Windham Hill), Transit (Windham Hill), Under The Eye (Narada), Carousel (Narada), Spur of the Moment (Narada), Bach Improvisations (Lost Time)

Press Reviews "Pianist Ira Stein's career keeps going off in fresh new directions, and this is a really bold venture. Formerly on both Windham Hill (with oboist Russel Walder) and Narada with and without his trio, Ira has done this album independantly on his own Lost Time Records. Most labels are no longer as adventurous and experimental as they were ten years ago, so to keep his artistic vision and integrity, Ira is going it alone. "Bach Improvisations" is so good that it should become an underground hit. This is no smooth jazz/ easy-listening white bread. There is plenty of improvisational muscle behind the nine chorales, and the arrangementsare complex and challenging enough to keep listeners discovering new things each time they hear this CD. Ira's elegant pianism strongly reflects both his classical and jazz backgrounds, and he shares the musical spotlight with cellist Joseph Hebert and Dann Zinn on soprano saxophone; all three are amazing musicians. Joe Hebert has to be one of the most versatile cellists around- he plays pizzicato on some tracks,making it sound like he's playing bass; then he soars with full- bowed classicaltreatment. Dann Zinn's sax definitely pushes this CD farther into jazz territory than classical; he really lets loose on "Liebster, Jesu, wir sind hier" and "Jesu, meine Freude", both of which he arranged or co-arranged with Ira. Ira, Joe, and Dann have been playing together for several years now, an it really shows in the way they blend the sounds of three very different instruments with their own diverse playing styles. All nine cuts are excellent, all offer a different perspective on Bach's short musical themes (the original chorales average about 30 seconds in length), from sweet and flowing to the exhilirating "Jesu, meine Freude" (I attended one of the concerts/ recording sessions for this CD, and can attest that the walls shook and the audience loved thiscut!). Ira has been working on this project for several years, and it has been exciting to see it evolve from an idea to this incredible finished project! Very original and very different, good luck to the record stores in finding a bin for this one! Bravo to the Ira Stein Trio for making it happen!" -Kathy Parsons Wind & Wire - Jan. '99

Location Oakland, CA - USA

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