Clusone 3 - Love Henry (1997)

The Clusone Trio (comprised of Michael Moore on alto, clarinet and flute, cellist Ernst Reijseger and drummer/percussionist Han Bennink) is so humorous and accessible that they could be considered avant-garde jazz for listeners who do not like the avant-garde. This live set finds the group playing spontaneous medleys with eccentric sound explorations leading to off-the-wall standards, including several Irving Berlin songs, Lee Konitz's "It's You" and Johnny Mercer's "Cuckoo in the Clock." One of the most colorful and satisfying regular groups in the more exploratory side of jazz (each of its members has his own sound and the ability to switch between several styles), the Clusone Trio's recordings are all worth experiencing several times. This nutty but generally logical performance is no exception and is better heard than described.