LINER NOTES

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     Live at The Stone was recorded at an April 2016 concert by the NPO Trio led by Meg Okura during her residency at the Stone in East Village. The entire concert consisted of three extensive improvisational parts. The first part, which continues for 38 minutes, is divided into 6 shorter, individually titled segments for the purpose of this album.

     The melody often quoted during these first six tracks is Oyfn Pripetchik, a famous Yiddish song by Mark Warshawsky (1848–1907). The song is about a rabbi teaching his children about the value of education and perseverance. It also mentions exodus, reminding us of the sacrifices made by our ancestors, which allows us the freedom we have today.

     Track 7, “Unkind Gestures”, is a shorter improvisation. The series of notes played as a run were derived from Coltrane’s Giant Steps. The trio, however, pays tribute to these notes without regard to the original chord changes or rhythm.

     Track 8, “Yiddish Mama No Tsuki”, is derived from two similar melodies taken from two very different cultures: Jewish and Japanese. My Yiddish Mama and Kojo No Tsuki, both very famous songs, are first played by Okura as a virtuosic cadenza, then followed by an Argentinian Tango feel. It turns into a series of group improvisations and eventually adopts a swing feel to end the concert.