Allison, cardenas & Nash

Ben Allison - bass

Steve Cardenas - guitar

Ted Nash - tenor saxophone, clarinet

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THE STORY — Back in 2012, Ben and guitarist Steve Cardenas were casually talking about their shared admiration for the legendary guitarist and composer Jim Hall. Their discussion soon drifted to the groundbreaking, drummerless trios of the 1950s and ’60s led by reedist Jimmy Giuffre—groups where Hall often played a key role. While much of the jazz world was leaning into louder, more expressionistic territory, Hall and Giuffre were charting a different course, crafting intimate, spacious music rooted in blues and folk, while also embracing the emerging qualities of free playing. Inspired by this subtle yet powerful approach, Ben and Steve began envisioning a modern-day project in the same spirit. Ben reached out to longtime friend and Jazz Composers Collective collaborator, saxophonist Ted Nash, who immediately loved the concept. A concert was quickly arranged—and by the end of the first set, it was clear: the chemistry was undeniable.

Allison, Cardenas & Nash create music that is intimate and highly conversational — a ‘musical trialogue,’ where group interplay is the focus. Together, they weave musical conversations that are full of subtlety and surprise. The trio takes a collaborative approach to arranging, each bringing their own voice to the table. They've released four acclaimed albums: Quiet Revolution (2018 Sonic Camera), Somewhere Else - West Side Story Songs (2019 Plastic Sax), Healing Power: The Music of Carla Bley (2022 Sunnyside/Sonic Camera), and Tell the Birds I Said Hello: The Music of Herbie Nichols (2024, Sonic Camera).

A fifth album, this time featuring original compositions by each member, is set to be recorded in the summer of 2025.

The trio has performed on stages all over the world. Recent highlights include Providencia Jazz Festival (Santiago, Chile), Havana Jazz Festival (Cuba), Barcelona Jazz Festival (Spain), Seixal Jazz Festival (Portugal), Angra Jazz Festival (Azores, Portugal), Litchfield Jazz Festival (Connecticut), to name a few.

With their latest release Ben Allison, Steve Cardenas, and Ted Nash turn their attention to the unique and ever-surprising music of the under-appreciated pianist-composer Herbie Nichols (1919-1963). The album features six previously unheard compositions, along with re-workings of two tunes first recorded by The Herbie Nichols Project in 2000 (Strange City, Palmetto).

Stream all four albums by

Allison, Cardenas & Nash here:

Steve’s long association with Carla Bley made the choice to do an album of her music a natural one for the trio. The result is Healing Power, which has been streamed millions of times throughout the world. The selection of compositions spans multiple decades of her career, beginning with early, more experimental works such as Ictus and King Korn and ending with more modern, almost pop-sounding music such as Healing Power and Lawns.

1. Ida Lupino

2. Donkey

3. And Now, the Queen

4. Ictus

5. Lawns

6. Ad Infinitum

7. Olhos de Gato

8. King Korn

9. Healing Power