Chad McCullough & Bram Weijters - Abstract Quantities (2015)

Through their first two recordings, the Belgian / American band led by pianist Bram Weijters and trumpeter Chad McCullough firmly established a musical style that's equal parts melancholic and hopeful. Along with bassist Piet Verbist and drummer John Bishop, they have built a musical bond over the past 5 years that has led them around the globe, with their continued successes due in no small part to their ability to connect with audiences. For their third album, they continue to expand their compositional and textural palette, with the opening track, 'Billions' hitting the ground running, as other compositions stretch from gospel-inspired ('Glorious Traffic Jam') to pensive ('Hesitation'), and folk-like ('Winter's Lament'). The co-leaders explore an intimate duo setting on 'The Same (Prelude)' and 'Before Acceptance,' providing a textural and tonal contrast to the full band. '. . . truly a perfect match creatively. ' - emusic