Ben Opie: reeds;
Paul Thompson: bass;
David Throckmorton: drums
Influences
Many many personal influences, though Ben credits the influence on his writing to Paul and David.
Sounds Like
I've sometimes been asked, what do you call this music? I stammer out some sort of answer, though the question seems irrelevent to me. It's not that I have any pretensions (I hope) that what we do is particularly original. Kevin Whitehead once wrote (not about us), take the average person off the street, put them in front of the group, what would they say this music is? They'd say it's jazz. So I guess we're a jazz group, for lack of a better description. I think we try to avoid the, I don't know, cliches and problems one would associate with a standard jazz group. I think we bring a real intensity to our music, and have developed a repertoire of largely original works.
Thoth Trio has been around for about six years or so, bringing together three powerhouse players. Ben Opie is a long standing personality in Pittsburgh's creative music scene, having played reeds, theremin, and composed for groups such as Water Shed 5tet, Coal Train, Umezu Trio, Dust & Feathers. Paul Thompson is a very busy musician, in demand for jazz performances and pit orchestras. He was musical director for Maynard Ferguson, was in Stanley Turrentine's quartet, and regularly plays and records with Salsamba and Billy Price. David Throckmorton is one of the most in-demand session players in Pittsburgh. He has toured the world and recorded with many celebrated musicians including Maynard Ferguson, singer songrwiter Bill Deasy, Michael Glabicki (Rusted Root), vocalist Dianne Schuur, Winger guitarist Reb Beach, and led the improvising hip hop/drum and bass quintet Beam. All three also play in the Sun Ra-inpsired big band OPEK.
Regarding Thoth Trio's debut CD, "Apropos of Nothing", the Pittsburgh Post Gazette wrote, "The music flows with harmonic authority and edgy inventiveness." and allaboutjazz.com wrote "...an auspicious debut.", among many other positive reviews. The band's soon-to-be-released second CD, "Thoth Speaks", expands on the first ablum's work and ramps up the intensity.
Well I know I haven't posted anything new since...well nearly since i created this page. There's some pieces in the book we haven't worked up yet but no plans to record. Plus, we need gigs!
Props for the add. Your friends in the corner cage at the Aviary are missing you already. But 2 upcoming free gigs, and I work both nights. :( Timing is everything.
Wow! That's great playing guys. Ben, I love the beginning of "Apropos". I think it's just great! Hey by the way, the link to your band website didn't work for me. You might want to take a look at it. Cheers!
