Lightness and passion. Two words that don't always fit together, especially when describing a new jazz recording. Yet these are two of the primary qualities typifying this CD from the piano trio, New Stories, and their renowned colleague, the saxophonist Ernie Watts. Lightness -- because after over a decade together these New Stories guys don't need to scream to make their musical points. And passion? Well, that's simply the essence of their commanding artistry. This joy of collaborative invention, this inspired teamwork, this intense lyricism - here is what all jazz groups strive for.

New Stories is the most esteemed piano trio in the unusually fertile Seattle jazz scene, equally prized for performances in their own name and for those many times when they serve as a rhythm section backing visiting stars. And often the big names come back for more. On Speakin' Out, Ernie Watts, best known for his longtime gig in Charlie Haden's Quartet West, fits in beautifully on the trio's third CD as co-leaders, sharing their wit, their bluesy sensibility, their love of nuanced interaction, their wide-ranging expressivity, their ability to build the excitement in a long-unfurling musical line. On a recording dominated by original tunes by New Stories' pianist Marc Seales and bassist Doug Miller, Watts joins the trio in making the new songs sound like the standards they might well yet become. Watts supplied the album's motto, Real men bleeding on the battlefield of art, and while the line is meant to be amusing, jazz lovers will agree that with this overflowing of creative ardor, here is an overstatement which must be taken seriously.

Click here to view the Origin Records photo gallery of Ernie Watts performing with New Stories, live at Tula's.