Performers

Marilyn Lerner, Ken Filiano, Lou Grassi (ON/USA)

Toronto-based pianist Marilyn Lerner is one of Canada's foremost improvising musicians. She is fluent in numerous idioms, some of which have been the focus of particular recording projects: Birds are Returning (Cuban music traditions), Queen Mab (the intersection of free improvisation and chamber music), and Romanian Fantasy (solo-piano investigation of Jewish music traditions).

Lerner exhibits a beautiful touch that few pianists can rival and a deep sensitivity to her materials and collaborators. She brings this sensitivity to bear in this trio with veteran American musicians, bassist Ken Filiano and drummer Lou Grassi. Their collectively improvised music - as presented on Arms Spread Wide (No Business) - is thoroughly rooted in the jazz tradition. It is rhythmically elaborate and stylistically open enough to accommodate the wealth of experience they cumulatively possess.