When we at Jazz Speaks have sat down to speak with saxophonist and composer Ohad Talmor, our conversations tend to focus on his expansive sonic palettes. We've spoken about counterpoint in the work of Györgi Ligeti and A Tribe Called Quest, building fantastical soundscapes in Ableton, and turning well-worn standards into experimental playgrounds. However, for his performance at The Jazz Gallery this week, Talmor isn't working with a lush, large ensemble, but a stripped-down trio featuring guitarist Miles Okazaki and drummer Dan Weiss.Okazaki and Weiss have been friends of Talmor's for over two decades. Talmor calls them "great ‘rhythmicians’ and positive influences on me." A mark of Weiss's influence is Talmor's interest in Hindustani music. In an interview with Jazz Speaks, Talmor spoke of his ongoing practice on the Hindustani bansuri flute:

That’s simply an ongoing practice. I humbly sit, go through daily exercises, and integrate myself into the traditional material. I’m fortunate because Dan Weiss is my neighbor, so I get to work with him sometimes. It’s ever-present in my life. I listen to a lot of the music, and I play it daily. It’s part of my routine, and if I get a good half an hour in, I’m happy.

This fall, Talmor went into the studio with Okazaki and Weiss to record a new album of material inspired by Hindustani tabla repertoire. At the Gallery this Wednesday, the trio will play music from this forthcoming album before heading out on a European tour. The Ohad Talmor Trio plays The Jazz Gallery on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. The group features Mr. Talmor on tenor saxophone, Miles Okazaki on guitar, and Dan Weiss on drums. Sets are at 7:30 and 9:30 P.M. $15 general admission (FREE for members), $25 reserved table seating ($10 for members) for each set. Purchase tickets here.