Music Formats is proud to announce the release of a new CD album:

The Rich Crandall Trio LIVE at Studio 6

with

Rich Crandall…piano

Dean Taba…bass

Abraham Lagrimas, Jr…drums

Listeners are swept into the audience’s excitement of this expertly engineered LIVE recorded album of piano trio jazz with bass and drums, which explores an energy infused repertoire that soars, swings, and triumphs across a range of musical grooves.

“LIVE” at Studio 6 is the only recorded session from Rich Crandall’s remarkable ten-year run at this esoteric Honolulu venue. This dynamic album captures the exhilaration and joy that audiences came to expect during Crandall’s weekly performances there.

Bassist Dean Taba and drummer Abe Lagrimas are synergistic collaborators in Crandall’s display of stylistic virtuosity—ranging from pensive to propulsive on standards, both ethereal (“The Peacocks”) and rhythmically irresistible (“Cherokee”). Rich Crandall, the rare thoughtful pianist who can swing, invariably leaves his audience wanting more. This recording shows why.

The LIVE quality captures how audience and musicians can come together with a unique synergy—a “happening”, if you wish. Crandall, Taba, and Lagrimas found that energy when creating this album’s music—loose enough yet tight enough to make each moment a discovery. The ensemble work is clean yet organic; the individual solos explore with imagination.

Studio 6 was a “scene” and this album captures it.

Rich Crandall, originally from Chicago, has made Honolulu home now for decades. He’s covered all the islands doing club work, concerts, accompaniment, and education workshops. His “Jazz-In-The-Schools” program was a statewide success. “LIVE” at Studio 6 is Rich’s sixth recording following SOLO TRAVEL, SOOTHSAYER, ‘TIL FURTHER NOTICE, LAST TAKES WITH RORY, and “BUDDY NOWHERE” 1930s.

Both Dean Taba and Abe Lagrimas, Jr. were born and raised in Honolulu, and both are graduates of the Berklee College of Music. Dean relocated to Los Angeles in 1984 and established himself during his three decades there as a highly regarded performer in clubs, concerts, CDs (including his own FOR FRIENDS release), TV shows, and movie sound tracks. Credits include David Benoit, Hiroshima, The American Jazz Institute Orchestra, Dave Koz, and Bill Watrous. Dean currently lives and works Honolulu.

Abe, although best known a drummer, is also highly proficient on vibraphone and ukulele. In addition to his own CD albums, Abe has performed, recorded, and toured with artists around the world, including Korea, China, Japan, Australia, Finland, and South Africa. Abe currently resides in Los Angeles, California.