Carrier Trio is a new ensemble consisting of bass clarinetist Jason Stein, guitarist Ben Cruz, and drummer Emerson Hunton. The trio's music presents complex interlocking melodies, delicate textures, improvised sections, and tightly composed chamber sections for a sound that is angular, frenetic, and pretty.

Bios:

Jason Stein is among the mere handful of improvisers who play the bass clarinet exclusively. Stein leads the acclaimed trio Locksmith Isidore as well as his own quartet. He contributes to several of the leading bands on Chicago’s new-music scene and has brought a vital voice to the freest of free-jazz jams. Stein’s playing showcases an extraordinary expertise on the bass clarinet, which ranges from powerful post-bop lines to ear-grabbing wails in the altissimo range. Chicago writer Neil Tesser notes that “Stein’s playing has a rawboned swagger particular to Chicago jazz in all its manifestations – from the trad playing of Bud Freeman and Jimmy McPartland in the 20s, through the tenor titans of the 50s, through the adventurers who formed the AACM in the 60s, and right up to the city’s renowned modern cadre of new-music improvisers.” Stein moved to Chicago in 2005 and has since recorded for such labels as Leo, Delmark, Not Two, Atavistic, 482 Music, Clean Feed, Astral Spirits, and Northern Spy. Stein has performed throughout the US and Europe as both a bandleader and sideman and has amassed a discography of over 40 albums.

“During a career that’s propelled him to the upper echelon of Chicago’s vibrant improvised music scene, Jason Stein is doing for the bass clarinet what Steve Lacy had done for the soprano sax. By looking forward while never losing sign of tradition, he’s modeled himself after the paths of jazz innovators before him to forge his own track.” — S. Victor Aaron, SOMETHING ELSE!

“Stein has perfected a style of focused yet incendiary sonic exploration.” — Brian Zimmerman, DOWNBEAT

“Stein has been a fixture on Chicago’s jazz and improvised-music scene for 12 years, playing his notoriously unwieldy instrument with fluidity, soul, and grace.” — Peter Margasak, CHICAGO READER

Ben Cruz is a guitarist, composer, and educator based in Chicago, IL. His music draws from a variety of traditions, combining forward-thinking composition with an emphasis on improvisation. Ben began playing guitar at the age of twelve, and studied jazz and improvisation from New York City-based guitarist Vic Juris. Ben went on study history and jazz performance at Oberlin College and Conservatory, where he was mentored by Bobby Ferrazza, Dan Wall, Jamey Haddad, Jay Ashby, Paul Samuels, and Brian Alegant.

Emerson Hunton is a drummer and composer based in Chicago, IL. His musical approach prizes space and texture, and focuses on blurring the line between improvisation and composition. Other recent projects include a duo with laptop improviser/composer Ted Moore and a quintet featuring trumpeter Russ Johnson and saxophonist Greg Ward. His creative output has been supported by grants and residencies through STEIM, Conservatory van Amsterdam, the CIGSIE board, and Avaloch Farm Music Institute. Emerson has performed nationally and internationally with collaborative jazz quartet Junior Ranger, who recorded and released their debut recording Monster Masks in 2015. Emerson is originally from Minneapolis, MN, and studied with drummer Billy Hart at Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

Here are links to each website:

http://jasonsteinmusic.com

http://bencruzmusic.com

http://emersonhunton.com