"St. Louis Blues" from the Jun Iida Trio's 2019 album Live @ Kulak's Woodshed is a swinging rendition of W. C. Handy's historic composition, performed in F major with a 16-bar form at approximately 175 BPM. The trio format of trumpet, guitar, and bass creates an unusually open texture that gives each musician ample space for extended improvisation. Guitarist Masami Kuroki opens the solo section with eight inventive choruses, followed by trumpeter Jun Iida with eight choruses of his own, and bassist Kevin McClellan with five choruses. The pianoless, drumless trio is a rare configuration that demands heightened rhythmic responsibility from each player, and all three rise to the challenge. Kulak's Woodshed, a small performance venue in North Hollywood, California, provides an intimate setting that captures the spontaneity and interplay of a live jazz performance. The Jun Iida Trio's approach to this well-worn standard brings fresh energy to a composition that dates back to 1914, demonstrating that great tunes can continue to inspire new interpretations across the decades. The extended solo lengths reflect the freedom of a live performance unbound by studio time constraints, allowing each musician to develop complete musical narratives over their respective choruses.
