Saw the Steve Lacy Trio last night at the Bird of Paradise in Ann Arbor. Very wonderful stuff. They were in the area last fall too. I think last night's performance was even better, maybe because the more intimate atmosphere of the Bird was perfect for the subleties of this music.

Lacy, Jean-Jacques Avenel (bass) and John Betsch (drums) have been together a long time, so they can anticipate and react to every nuance. There's a serenity about this music. It floats and undulates. Even the faster pieces don't seem rushed. Betsch is very calm at the drums; his accents and colorations almost seem to happen by themselves. Avenel is a marvelously fluid soloist. And what a clear, strong, idea-filled sound from Lacy's soprano.

It's a great experience to see musicians who are so comfortable with each other making very personal music.