Tyshawn Sorey Trio Cast Spell On Firehouse 12

Did you hear thunder Friday night or see lightning? Probably not, unless you were one of the lucky few to attend the sold-out Tyshawn Sorey Trio show at Firehouse 12. Part of the venue’s 2023 Fall Jazz Series, these three acclaimed musicians — Tyshawn Sorey on drums, Aaron Diehl on piano, and Matt Brewer on bass — presented a scintillating set of spontaneity and skill, coupled with unbridled joy, that became a master class on how live music can be downright magical.

Tyshawn Sorey has become one of the most highly regarded musicians of his time with a dazzling array of works composed and performed across the globe with a multitude of performers. A composer, multi-instrumentalist, and professor, he was a 2017 MacArthur Fellow and finalist for the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in music. He also has local ties aplenty; he has been both a student and an instructor at Wesleyan and has recorded two albums at Firehouse 12. As the audience members entered the room many were heard discussing their ties to Sorey, whether it was through his teaching or having been an attendee at previous performances. Either way, the air was heavy with both conversation and anticipation.

Speaking of the room: this reporter had never been at Firehouse 12 for a show before Friday, which meant inside the space that serves as both recording studio and concert venue. The bar downstairs, yes, many times, but never the studio, though I know its history and its most recent renovations. I would be remiss to not describe the sensation of walking in for the first time, before the show even began. Though modern in décor, there is something regal about it. One immediately gets the sense that something special is about to happen. I felt as if I had arrived at my first day of school, not nervous or scared, but eager to see what new adventure awaited me. 

And what an adventure it was. The lights dimmed as the trio members made their way to the stage from the back of the room down the center aisle. There was thunderous applause before one word was spoken or one note played. Sorey addressed the crowd.

“It’s been a while, New Haven,” he said. ​“It’s always good to come home.”

He added how he had come to Firehouse 12 nearly every December to record, and that the trio’s latest album, Continuing (released June 2023) had been recorded ​“three minutes down that way” from the room we were in. Tonight’s show, however, was the trio’s first concert there.

After introducing Diehl and Brewer, Sorey announced that they would be playing selections from both of their recordings: 2022’s Mesmerism and Continuing. He also mentioned that both of them could be purchased on Bandcamp, as they did not have any merch available with them tonight because they had sold out.

“We hope that you enjoy this set of music,” he said. ​“Thank you all for coming. See you on the other side.”

Sorey sat down and closed his eyes. After a few moments of silence, he made an ​“mmmm” sound and counted out one and two, and with that the music began. Gentle touches of brushes to cymbals met the bass and piano in an intuitive manner. Switching to sticks, Sorey kept it light as the rest of the music sunk deeper. A return to brushes sounded like the light rainfall that was happening outside the venue at that moment, and a swirling of the brush around the drum added another liquid sensation to the mix. As the sound built, with bass drum added in, the band kept a groove going, all three traveling across their instruments, eyes closed, speeding up but never in a rush. The sound began to feel like larger raindrops landing in small puddles, getting larger with rivulets rushing by. And as they changed it up and slowed down once more, the audience burst into applause and shouts of yeah.

Every musician had their time to shine while the other two lifted them up and along. Diehl danced across the keys and Brewer shared the vibe of the strings like a gift handed to each one of us. And Sorey received it all and gave it back, even letting out a chuckle at one point. The crowd was kept captivated, most locked in as if a spell has been cast upon them, while others responded with a head nod. I took a good look around to see if I was the only one dancing in my seat (I was not). 

Which leads me to another point about this venue: no photos or recording devices are allowed, so while there will be no video from this performance shared in this article, for those of you longing to see a show where no one holds up their phones, Firehouse 12 is where you need to be. 

For the second piece, Sorey began once again with eyes closed, a few deep breaths, and a count out loud that found the three musicians leaning into a groove right out of the box and staying there for the remainder of the time. This may have been the most highly danceable and groovy jazz this reporter had ever heard, and for a moment I wondered if anyone had ever gotten up and danced during a show in this venue (alas, I did not). Diehl took to pounding the keys with his fists at one point with a wide smile while Brewer and Sorey answered with a toe tapper of a jam. 

Diehl then closed his eyes and traveled across the keys at lightning speed. Brewer was in the same lightning mode as his hands seemed to cover every inch of strings, while Sorey used every part of the drum kit — frames, skins, and cymbals — together filling every inch of the studio with song. At this point I was definitely not dancing in my seat alone, as all three musicians began to move along with the music, smiling their way through a dizzying and dazzling display of musicianship that was impossible to not smile along with. More burst of applause occurred, and as the music began to soften and come to a close, the loudest burst of applause and shouts were saved for the end of the piece. Sorey stood up, introducing the crew once again and thanking everyone. After they left the stage, it felt like the vibe remained, like when thunder and lightning hit in the distance but you know you might feel it again soon after. Aptly enough, they would be returning for a 10 p.m. set, for another group of fortunate listeners.

The 2023 Jazz Series continues the next two Fridays, with shows featuring Tom Guarna and Loren Stillman Trio. There is also a show this Saturday presented by the New Haven Improvisers Collective, featuring Light Upon Blight Ensemble and Roundhouse Quartet. Get tickets for one or all of them through the Firehouse 12 website.