The Art of Three is a 2001 live album that captures a rare, acoustic meeting of three jazz titans: drummer Billy Cobham Ron Carter , and pianist Kenny Barron
. Recorded in January 2001 during a European tour with stops in Odense, Denmark Oslo, Norway
, the album showcases a refined, post-bop departure from Cobham's typical high-energy fusion "thunder". The Story Behind the Collaboration
While these "all-star" musicians had known each other for decades, they had rarely performed together as a unified trio until this tour. Cobham, widely known for his explosive drumming with the Mahavishnu Orchestra Miles Davis
, shifted his approach for this project to prioritize a balanced, collaborative sound where no single player dominates the spotlight. Musical Highlights
The album features a mix of jazz standards and original compositions by the trio members: Acoustic Precision
: Cobham trades his massive double-bass drum kit for a more traditional setup, often using brushes to blend with Barron’s lyrical piano and Carter’s imaginative, driving bass lines. Key Tracks "Stella by Starlight"
: A "spry" opening that highlights the immediate chemistry between the three veterans. "New Waltz" : A tender, intimate composition by Ron Carter. "And Then Again" : A lively, bop-inflected piece written by Kenny Barron. "Bouncing with Bud" : A rollicking tribute to pianist Bud Powell. Technical Details (EAC-FLAC) The version you mentioned refers to a digital rip using Exact Audio Copy (EAC) to ensure a bit-perfect, lossless
copy of the original CD. The original recording was mixed and mastered by engineer Blaise Grandjean
at Studio Paudèze II in Switzerland using the Pyramix Virtual Studio system to maintain a "warm and soft" live acoustic feel. other live recordings from this specific Billy Cobham trio or see a full track listing with durations? Billy Cobham - The Art Of Three -2001- -eac-flac- ((new))
The Art of Three (2001) represents a significant stylistic shift for Billy Cobham
, a drummer legendary for his high-energy jazz fusion. Departing from his usual "thunder machine" approach, this live album—often sought by audiophiles in high-fidelity formats like EAC-FLAC—showcases a refined, acoustic collaboration with jazz masters Kenny Barron (piano) and Ron Carter (bass). A Departure from Fusion Billy Cobham - The Art of Three -2001- -EAC-FLAC-
Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Billy Cobham was synonymous with the explosive polyrhythms of jazz-rock fusion, pioneered through his work with the Mahavishnu Orchestra and solo albums like Spectrum. The Art of Three, recorded live in Denmark and Norway in January 2001, pivots toward a "classy and timeless" trio set. Instead of dominating the soundscape with a massive electronic kit, Cobham integrates into the ensemble with a more controlled, complementary style. The Collaboration
The album is less a "drummer-led" project and more a meeting of three veterans who had rarely played together as a unit before this European tour.
Kenny Barron: Provides playful, lyrical piano work that anchors the trio's melodic explorations.
Ron Carter: Acts as a "harmonic dynamo," offering inventive accompaniment and imaginative solos that bridge the gap between rhythm and melody.
Billy Cobham: Demonstrates incredible dynamic control, switching between brushes and sticks to support the acoustic environment while maintaining his signature precision. Tracklist and Musicality
The setlist consists primarily of jazz standards and original compositions from the band members, emphasizing "hard bop" sensibilities. Highlights Stella By Starlight Victor Young A spry opening where Cobham shifts from brushes to sticks. Autumn Leaves Joseph Kosma A 10-minute exploration of the classic standard. New Waltz Ron Carter
A tender, intimate piece suggested to mimic a parent teaching a child to dance. Bouncing With Bud Bud Powell A rollicking, high-energy bop line. 'Round Midnight Thelonious Monk
Focuses on gentle lyricism rather than a brooding atmosphere. And Then Again Kenny Barron
A bop-heavy track featuring a stirring solo from Ron Carter. Critical Reception
Critics praised the album for its organic, collaborative feel, noting that it was a rare and pleasant surprise to hear Cobham in a fully acoustic, "all-stars super-trio" setting. It proved that his "forward-looking ideas" remained vibrant even when stripped of electric fusion's high-decibel trappings.
For collectors, the EAC-FLAC version is particularly valued because it preserves the warm, soft sound of these live performances, allowing listeners to experience the "rhythm and sound nuances" that defined this specific era of Cobham’s career. The Art of Three is a 2001 live
Отделение среднего профессионального образования
The Art of Three is a live jazz album released in 2001 featuring legendary drummer Billy Cobham alongside pianist Kenny Barron and bassist Ron Carter . Album Overview
Recording Context: The album contains excerpts from two live concerts recorded in January 2001 during a European tour, specifically in Odense, Denmark and Oslo, Norway.
Musical Style: Departures from Cobham's typical high-energy "thunder machine" fusion style, this set is a collaborative, acoustic hard bop and timeless trio session. Personnel: Billy Cobham: Drums, Producer. Kenny Barron: Piano. Ron Carter: Bass. Tracklist
The standard release includes the following tracks (approximately 73 minutes total): Stella by Starlight (10:43) Autumn Leaves (10:00) New Waltz (written by Ron Carter) (6:55) Bouncing with Bud (written by Bud Powell) (7:02) 'Round Midnight (written by Thelonious Monk) (7:56) And Then Again (written by Kenny Barron) (11:25) I Thought About You (10:26) Someday My Prince Will Come (9:19) Technical Details
Audio Format: The -EAC-FLAC- in your query refers to a lossless digital rip created using Exact Audio Copy (EAC) to ensure perfect 1:1 bit-accuracy from the original CD. Label: In & Out Records (Germany).
Engineering: Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Blaise Grandjean using Pyramix Virtual Studio. Purchasing & Availability
Collectors can find physical copies of the CD on platforms like Discogs or Amazon. Used copies typically have a median price of around $20.
Album Spotlight: Billy Cobham – The Art of Three While the legendary Billy Cobham is often celebrated as the "thunder machine" of fusion thanks to his groundbreaking work with the Mahavishnu Orchestra and his solo masterpiece , the 2001 live album The Art of Three
captures a different, more nuanced side of the percussionist. This record documents a high-caliber meeting of minds during a 2001 European tour, featuring a trio of jazz titans: Billy Cobham Ron Carter on bass, and Kenny Barron A Masterclass in Acoustic Interplay Recorded in Odense, Denmark and Oslo, Norway, The Art of Three
is a departure from Cobham's typical high-energy jazz-rock. Instead, it highlights a sophisticated, acoustic bop and post-bop sensibility. Despite Cobham being the listed leader, critics note that no single player dominates; it is a true collaborative effort where each musician has space to breathe and solo. Billy Cobham - The Art of Three (2001)
The album's tracklist consists primarily of deeply intuitive takes on jazz standards and original compositions by the band members: Stella By Starlight
: A spry opening where Cobham masterfully transitions from brushes to sticks. : A tender original composed by Ron Carter. And Then Again : A lively bop-styled piece written by Kenny Barron. 'Round Midnight
: A lyrical and romantic interpretation of the Thelonious Monk classic. High-Fidelity Recording
For audiophiles and collectors, this specific "EAC-FLAC" version refers to a lossless digital rip of the original CD, ensuring the "warm and soft" acoustic sound of the live performance is preserved. The original mixing and mastering were handled by Blaise Grandjean at Studio Paudèze II in Switzerland, capturing the "in the room" feel of the 2001 tour. Composer(s) Stella By Starlight Washington / Young Autumn Leaves Kosma / Mercer / Prévert Ron Carter Bouncing With Bud Bud Powell 'Round Midnight Hanighen / Monk / Williams And Then Again Kenny Barron I Thought About You Van Heusen / Mercer Someday My Prince Will Come Morey / Churchill Data sourced from
Whether you're a lifelong fan of Cobham's fusion pyrotechnics or a lover of classic acoustic trios, The Art of Three
is a essential document of three masters finding a perfect, joyful balance on stage. from this era, or perhaps dive into Billy Cobham's fusion discography
Here’s a write-up suitable for a lossless music release post (e.g., on a blog, forum, or private tracker):
Billy Cobham - The Art of Three (2001)
EAC Rip | FLAC (tracks + cue + log) | Covers included | 390 MB
Genre: Jazz / Fusion / Post-Bop
Recorded: April 3–4, 2001 at Tonstudio Mohrmann, Bochum, Germany
Label: Intuition Records (INT 3426 2)
Upon release in 2001, The Art of Three received polite reviews. JazzTimes called it "competent but safe." How wrong they were. In the two decades since, this album has become a cult classic among drummers and audiophiles.
On private music trackers (Redacted, OPS), the EAC-FLAC rip of this specific pressing has a retention rate of nearly 95%. It is frequently used as a "benchmark" upload for new rippers to prove they understand extraction logic (log files, cue sheets, accurate rip checks).
Tracks of note:
Critical note for collectors: This is NOT a fusion drum-n-bass explosion. It is mature, nuanced, and conversational. Expect piano melodies, horn lines, and Cobham acting as a sensitive third voice.