Orange Moon is a Brussels-based piano trio formed in 2016 by Belgian pianist Hendrik Lasure, Italian double bass player Manolo Cabras and French drummer Mathieu Calleja. The self-titled «Orange Moon» is the debut album of this trio, offering its acoustic and intimate, chamber jazz aesthetics, influenced by the legacy of Jimmy Giuffre Trio (and especially the role of Paul Bley in this trio) and Paul Motian with strong influences from contemporary European classical music.

The 11 pieces were written by the three musicians. The intimate atmosphere is intensified by the close interplay and the economic and subtle nature of the melodic, often impressionist themes, almost miniatures. But within this relaxed atmosphere, Lasure, Cabras and Calleja found a distinctive trip sound of their own. They always attempt to test the familiar dynamics of a jazz piano trio, exchanging leading roles and occasionally search for new timbral options.

«Andante N°2», «Compro», «Tin Tin» and «Caronte» stress the subtle and unpredictable manner of developing a wide range of melodic and playful themes, while improvising and investigating surprising but highly nuanced timbral detail. «Moulin Le Retour» and «Crystal Baby» revolve around the fractured yet inventive pulse of Calleja, with minor but poetic contribution of Lasure and Cabras. «To The Teachers» highlights the seminal influence of Paul Bley on Lasure’s sonic language and syntax. The collective improvisation «Last Call» proves that this fine and modest trio knows how to take risks and experiment with sparse textures.

Eyal Hareuveni

Hendrik Lasure (p), Manolo Cabras (b), Mathieu Calleja (dr)