Thumbscrew - Never Is Enough [2021]

Published on PostGenre

It hasn't even been a year since Thumbscrew released their superb record in tribute to Anthony Braxton, but the trio is already back with Never Is Enough. Braxton's influence is still apparent, especially in the more rigid moments, but this album is a completely different experience. For much of the runtime, the trio opts for a more contemplative approach. Listening to it, it's easy to see why Tomas Fujiwara (drums), Mary Halvorson (guitar), and Michael Formanek (bass) have become constant fixtures in the avant-garde jazz scene.

Thumbscrew - The Anthony Braxton Project [2020]

Published on PostGenre

It would be hard to find a trio better equipped to tackle an entire album of saxophonist Anthony Braxton’s compositions than Thumbscrew. Braxton is an accomplished veteran of the avant-garde, free improvisation, and everything in between. Mary Halvorson (guitar), Tomas Fujiwara (drums, vibraphone), and Michael Formanek (bass) do not approach The Anthony Braxton Project (Cuneiform Records, 2020) with the same distance that many other musicians may have. Braxton has played with every member of Thumbscrew, having a profound influence on Halvorson in particular. Braxton is a mentor to the guitarist, who changed her college major from biology to music after taking a class with him at Wesleyan University.

Thumbscrew - Ours [2018]

In a way, Thumbscrew have already put out an album in 2018, the trio, which is made up of Tomas Fujiwara (drums), Michael Formanek (bass) and Mary Halvorson (guitar), form the core of the guitarist's latest project, Code Girl. With the simultaneous release of Ours and Theirs, the trio have shown that 2018 is one of their most productive years to date. Ours is a record of Thumbscrew originals, with each member of the band contributing three compositions - each of the nine tracks showcasing the creativity and unique connection within the group.

Thumbscrew - Theirs [2018]

It's odd for a group like Thumbscrew to release an album like Theirs. Mary Halvorson (guitar), Michael Formanek (bass) and Tomas Fujiwara (drums) are musicians who always seem to have their eye on the future, with their albums as a bandleader being composed of mostly original material. Theirs is an album that does not contain one Thumbscrew original. The record is completely focused on much older compositions, including jazz standards like "The Peacocks", a Jimmy Rowles composition that was popularized by classic recordings by greats such as Bill Evans and Stan Getz.