There are moments when musicians need to escape artifice and the weight of metaphor in music creation. Sometimes it is best to scale down and just play with a group that makes music for pleasure or escape. Woodwind master Marty Ehrlich brought together bassist John Hébert and drummer Nasheet Waits a decade ago to create the Trio Exaltation. Together, they return to present a collection of further explorations of sound and camaraderie on their new release, This Time.

Hébert and Waits came immediately to mind when Ehrlich decided to establish the Trio Exaltation, as he knew their depth and amazing creative capabilities. Hébert’s hornlike quality on the bass made him an equal partner in improvisation along with a supportive harmonic voice. Waits’s openminded approach to group playing, huge range and incredible swing made the choice of the drummer unimpeachable. Their playing and time together under the baton of Hill created a bond and an uncanny ability of finding the center of things while in performance. And Hill’s presence is still felt. Additionally, This Time is dedicated to the pianist’s widow, Joanne Robinson Hill.