John Crooks

“This trio of bass, percussion, and piano makes wonderful, unique sounds using instruments from around the world.” – Yo-Yo Ma (in O Magazine)

“a young, new group very much worth checking out…exciting, super-tight…”-Bob Protzman (in The Minneapolis Star Tribune)

NPT review NPT review NPT review

The New Power Trio (NPT), a cooperative piano trio, recorded three albums and toured the US extensively. Pianist Nate Shaw, percussionist Mark Suter, and I began exploring ways to use hand percussion and afro cuban rhythms in a more or less traditional jazz format. Over the years our interest in rhythm and novel compositional techniques led us to explore rhythms from Brazil, Cuba, West Africa, and Asia. The NPT composed music aurally through rehearsal, eschewing “pencil and paper” composing in favor of a more organic method.

From our 2004 album NPT 2004:

Red Devil

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Ginger Snap

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Rollin’ a Benny

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Tall Trees

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From our 2001 album Echo Park:

Echo Park

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Oumou

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Dane Lane

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If I Were a Gal

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From our 1999 album The New Power Trio:

Ida Lupino

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Wolof

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Yes and No