Eckroth, Michael
Contrafacto
Grammy-nominated pianist/composer Michael Eckroth equally at home in Latin traditions and straight-ahead jazz makes his long-awaited SteepleChase debut as a leader with Contrafacto, joined by veteran bassist Ron McClure and dynamic drummer Steve Johns. Long known on the label as a versatile sideman, Eckroth steps forward with a trio project that highlights his refined touch, melodic clarity, and the breadth of his musical life. The albums originals balance lyrical writing and uncluttered improvisation, shaped by years moving fluidly between Cuban, Brazilian, and modern jazz idioms. McClures seasoned authority and Johnss responsive drive deepen the trios cohesion, giving Eckroth the space to craft a personal trio concept. Contrafacto reveals a mature pianist whose voice draws on many traditions yet sounds unmistakably his own, marking a compelling new chapter in the SteepleChase piano-trio lineage.