Andrew Lamb Trio – New Orleans Suite (2006; 2010 reissue)

About five years ago, woodwinds and flute specialist Andrew Lamb convened a recording session with his longtime musical partner Warren Smith (drums, percussion) and the bass/cello master Tom Abbs for some free form musical expression. That’s nothing new for longtime practitioners of improvised music such as these three, but this session had a special purpose: it was to put into music the strong emotions felt by those most victimized by the most devastating catastrophe to hit a certain historic and important American city.

Recorded a scant three weeks after Katrina wrecked New Orleans, New Orleans Suite is music that literally does live in the moment, in the immediate, confused and heartbreaking aftermath of the storm. Dr. John is the only other artist that I know of who put together a Katrina-inspired session so soon, but Lamb, Abbs and Smith didn’t dwell at all on nostalgia; this is all about the despair and fury that pervaded the immediate weeks following America’s largest natural disaster. Likewise, the improvised music used as a conduit for these emotions have little on common with NOLA icons like Armstrong, Longhair, Toussaint, Rebennack or scores of other Crescent City influences, but if jazz is “the sound of surprise,” then its cousin free jazz could be considered “the sound of raw emotion.” Using this method of expression, the frayed nerves and sorrow that prevailed in September, 2005 were clearly presented by Lamb and company.

Andrew Lamb: Rhapsody In Black

In spite of a more than three decades on the New York City front line, saxophonist Andrew Lamb remains something of an unknown quantity. Over that time he has amassed only eight leadership dates, the majority on small independent labels. To that total can be added Rhapsody In Black, a live blowing session from 2008 which feels as if it could have been recorded any time since the late '70s. Indeed, Lamb imbues his sound with the spirituality of late period John Coltrane, smoldering with a slow burning passion, bordering on the ecstatic, recalling his early AACM mentor, reed man Kalaparush Maurice McIntyre.

Andrew Lamb - Warren Smith - Arkady Gotesman

Lamb believes, that the arts and music in particular are essential to the healing and balance of humanity and the universe at large. His music is based on traditions of Afro-American jazz, blues and church music. According to critics, Lamb is capable of screaming like a full-blooded free jazzer, but more often than not he prefers to work a high-energy middle ground between bop and the avant-garde, in terms of both tone and harmony.

Lamb’s music is deeply spiritual, profoundly emotional, and readily accessible to all who hear him. He admits, that he relies on his experience rather than sophisticated ideas and concepts. He has a university education, and regularly receives grants enabling him to concentrate on composing.

Lamb and Warren Smith started collaborating in 1994 while recording Lamb’s first album as a leader Portrait in the Mist, featuring exclusively his compositions. Later they both recorded several albums as a duo.

Double bassist and poet Henry Grimes is his yet another Lamb’s stage partner. With his formations Lamb toured in the USA, Europe, Israel, and recorded albums. Grimes’ Sublime Communication Trio was voted the best album in Manhattan, New York.

“My mission is to bring new and innovative music to the world stage and share beauty with all walks of life”, says Lamb.

ALBUM REVIEWS: The Night of the 13th Moon & Casbah of Love (Andrew Lamb Trio)

Communicating the raw intensity which characterizes the most adept Free Jazz are two trio sessions featuring New York-based Andrew Lamb. Lamb who has been part of ensembles with Cecil Taylor and Warren Smith, plays tenor and alto saxophone, clarinet and flute on The Casbah of Love, and is backed by drummer Ryan Jewell, who has worked with the likes of Jack Wright and C. Spencer Yeh, and bassist/cellist Tom Abbs, who has played with just about everyone. Recorded three months later, The Night of the 13th Moon captures a first-time meeting at a Paris cellar club among Lamb, playing tenor saxophone only and two locals: bassist Yoram Rosilio, who has worked with Linda Sharrock and Jean-Brice Godet, and drummer Rafael Koerner, who has been part of the Big Four and Ping Machine...

Album Review: Baba Andrew Lamb Trio - The Night of the 13th

Saxophonist Baba Andrew Lamb led this excellent and exciting album accompanied by Yoram Rosillo on bass and Rafael Koerner on drums. Recorded live in Paris in June of 2018 the group played two sets of highly charged and stimulating free jazz beginning with "Set 1 A" which opens with subtle drumming and cymbal playing, before the bass player and saxophonist enter enter creating a sound that is strong and supple. They gradually pick up speed to a fast and powerful free jazz improvisation, playing in a vigorous and robust fashion, really hitting their stride with brilliant saxophone and deep rhythm...

ALBUM REVIEW: BABA ANDREW LAMB TRIO - THE NIGHT OF THE 13TH

Jazz Culture, France | "L’Appeal Du Disque"

Au bout du parc de Javel, on entendait une musique étrange, peu rythmée, polyphonique, non tempérée. Il fallut franchir un long tunnel sombre pour atteindre au quai. C’était des orientaux jouant du saxophone alto, lisant une partition. Je me trouvais dans un lieu du bout du monde : des tréteaux, des sortes de guinguettes, une scène, les gens arrivaient au crépuscule de l’été finissant ; rien n’avait lieu*.
La musique de “The Baba Andrew Lamb trio” est une musique du bout du temps...