By: Evan Desaulnier
In the concert DVD Quiet Stream Breaks the Rocks, the Branco Stoysin Trio exhibits Stoysin’s artistry as a composer and arranger. Throughout the set, the entire trio demonstrates their ability to achieve a very particular contemplative mood and feel with a fluid blend of jazz and Eastern European folk music. It’s the first DVD release from Stoysin, and it utilizes much of his music from previous record releases Inexhaustible (2009), Quiet Stream Breaks the Rocks (2007) and Heart is the Bridge (2003), along with some new material thrown in for good measure.
Stoysin plays fluid, haunting melodies and solos on his acoustic guitar which works well against the electric bass sound of his counterpart, Leslie Booth. The interactions between both Stoysin and Booth are bolstered by the intricate and varied percussion techniques of Buster Birch, who has a battery of percussion instruments at his disposal, from chimes to a standard drum kit, and to hand drums. The concert itself takes place at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in London, England. The venue seems to be an intimate, low-key environment that well suits this ensemble’s more reserved style.
The majority of the set showcases Stoysin’s abilities as a composer of his own brand of original trio music. The set begins with the quick swing tune titled “Miss D.” Here, Stoysin demonstrates his melody-infused playing style over the minor blues form. Throughout the tune, the entire trio plays with sensitive precision as they all trade solos and themes.
Another of Stoysin’s original compositions is “Bridge in Heart, Heart is the Bridge.” From the outset Stoysin instills a sense of Eastern European scales and melodies as – once again – Booth and Birch follow closely along. The tune is harmonically complex and incorporates multiple sections and themes that the group executes with deft clarity.
Other tunes in the set exhibit Stoysin’s ability as an arranger and interpreter of traditional Slavic songs and melodies. In particular is the mesmerizing “Once I Was Loved by a Woman From Vranje,” in which Stoysin adapts this Yugoslavian classic to his unique style and trio setting. Stoysin infuses this particular arrangement with much feeling and emotion, which is matched by his rhythm section as they pay particular attention to the overall dark mood and abrupt changes in intensity that characterize the piece.
From the outset of the performance the video cues inform us that the recording is done with a stationary camera and one stage microphone. Now, given the technical limitations, the sound and video quality are surprisingly good. However, at times it seems that the frequency range of the drum kit and the bass guitar are at odds with each other. It would be worthwhile to see further DVD releases from this excellent trio, ones that really do justice to their reserved and nuanced sound. All in all, it is a must-see for fans of Stoysin, as well as anyone who is interested in a fresh take on trio-based jazz and folk music.
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