The Art of Three remains an essential piece of jazz history because it subverts expectations. Instead of a bombastic, drum-heavy virtuoso showcase, it delivers an egalitarian masterclass in melody and restraint. No single musician dominates the spotlight. Instead, they focus entirely on the delicate, conversational chemistry that represents the pinnacle of the acoustic jazz trio. Share public link
The album features a mix of jazz standards and original compositions by the trio members. Track Title Composer(s) N. Washington / V. Young Autumn Leaves J. Kosma / J. Mercer / J. Prévert New Waltz Ron Carter Bouncing With Bud Bud Powell 'Round Midnight B. Hanighen / T. Monk / C. Williams And Then Again Kenny Barron I Thought About You J. Van Heusen / J. Mercer Someday My Prince Will Come F. Churchill / L. Morey
The recording is described as elegant and joyful, avoiding the self-absorbed soloing sometimes found in supergroup trios. Shopping & Collection If you are looking for physical copies or related releases:
The Master’s Touch: Revisiting Billy Cobham’s The Art of Three When we talk about Billy Cobham Billy Cobham - The Art of Three -2001- -EAC-FLAC-
Released in 2001, is a masterclass in acoustic jazz, featuring the legendary trio of Billy Cobham (drums), Kenny Barron (piano), and Ron Carter (bass). Recorded in January 2001 during a European tour with stops in Odense, Denmark, and Oslo, Norway, the album captures a rare meeting of three titans who, despite decades of mutual respect, had seldom performed as a unified trio. The Lineup: A Meeting of Giants
For this project, Cobham (drums) teamed up with two of the most respected names in jazz history: Kenny Barron Known for his lyrical touch and sophisticated phrasing. Ron Carter
A tender, intimate piece suggested to mimic a parent teaching a child to dance. Bud Powell A rollicking, high-energy bop line. 'Round Midnight Thelonious Monk The Art of Three remains an essential piece
The 2001 release generally includes eight tracks, primarily jazz standards: (10:43) Autumn Leaves (10:00) New Waltz (written by Ron Carter) (6:55) Bouncing With Bud (7:02) 'Round Midnight (7:56) And Then Again (written by Kenny Barron) (11:25) I Thought About You (10:26) Someday My Prince Will Come (9:19) Musical Analysis
The Art of Three is more than a jazz record; it is a stress test. As streaming services downgrade their libraries to lower bitrates to save bandwidth, physical media rips preserved in FLAC become digital heirlooms.
A showcase for Ron Carter’s resonant, foundational double-bass phrasing. "Someday My Prince Will Come" Frank Churchill / Standard Instead, they focus entirely on the delicate, conversational
Ultimately, the technology serves the music. And the music on The Art of Three is an extraordinary dialogue between masters.
: A tender, intimate composition written by Ron Carter.
This is NOT a fusion drum-n-bass explosion. It is mature, nuanced, and conversational. Expect piano melodies, horn lines, and Cobham acting as a sensitive third voice.