Trio Linguae is a "Freewheeling, playful and engaging, trumpeter Kevin Woods, guitarist
John Stowell and pianist Miles Black weave their way through a collection of originals
by Woods & Black, and others from Jobim, Wayne Shorter, Bill Evans and Harold Arlen on
their debut recording.
Though colleagues for many years in different configurations, the three found inspiration
in collaborating as Trio Linguae (Lin-gwee) through their collective sense of conversational,
contrapuntal improvising and reflexive listening - harkening the spirit of duo and trio
albums by Bill Evans, Jim Hall or Kenny Wheeler.
Integral to Vancouver's creative music scene,
Miles Black has been a collaborator of the highest order since the '80s. John Stowell's unique
musical voice and relationship to the guitar has gained him untold followers throughout the
world since he began touring in the '70s, and Kevin Woods has found his place in Northwest
jazz circles as an articulate improvisor and catalyst for artistic
endeavors." ~
"Miles Black began his professional music career in 1980 (at age 14) in Victoria, British Columbia after
studying piano in the provincial capital with George Essihos. Currently based in Vancouver, BC, Miles
has a wealth of musical experience as an arranger, producer, composer, session musician, guitarist, bassist,
saxophonist, songwriter, musical theatre director, music therapist and college level music"
"John Stowell began his successful career in the early 1970's with private study with guitarist Linc
Chamberland and pianist John Mehegan. Both men were valuable mentors to John, allowing him to play
with them as he progressed in his development. Several years later he met bassist David Friesen in
New York City, and they formed a duo that recorded and toured prolifically for seven years, with
performances in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. In 1983, John and David joined
flutist Paul Horn and Paul's son Robin Horn (on drums) for a historic tour of the Soviet Union.
This was the first time in forty years that an American jazz group had been invited to play public
performances in Russia. In 1993, 1995, 1998 and 2012 John returned to Russia, playing in numerous
cities. His two sold-out performances in Kursk may have been the first appearances there by an American jazz musician."
"Trumpeter/composer Kevin Woods is emerging as one of the most melodic and emotive voices in improvised
music in the Northwest. His passion for both performance and education have made him in demand as a leader
and a sideman as well as a composer, arranger and clinician. Woods lives in Bellingham, Washington where
he is active as a performer, educator and composer/arranger, and serves as Associate Professor of Music and
Director of Jazz Studies at Western Washington University. He leads the Kevin Woods Quartet, Trio Linguae,
and co-leads the Malmo, Sweden based Woods/Axelsson Quartet. Kevin is a Yamaha Performing Artist."
"Signals introduces the snug and simpatico Trio Linguae ("lin-gwee") from western
Canada whose unusual makeup (trumpet, guitar, piano) doesn't hinder it from painting
a series of shapely and pleasing portraits in sound. Trumpeter Kevin Woods had been
performing with his compatriots—pianist Miles Black, guitarist John Stowell—for more
than a decade but never before on the same stage. Aligning them together, which was
not Woods' original plan, proved to be a master stroke, as they entwine in unison like
the proverbial hand in glove."
"Stowell's guitar joins Kevin Woods' trumpet and flugelhorn and Miles Black's piano.
Woods' "Few Regrets" opens with warm guitar and lyrical piano then moves into a floating
mid tempo. Woods' horn is warm, low-end and lyrical moving in a very Chet Baker/Mulligan
tight warmness. Guitar touches with amazing odd chords, and then the piano warmly and
lyrically dances the tune."