Trust Fall, the debut album from the Brandon Coleman Trio, is a bold, unfiltered exploration of jazz, recorded with nothing more than trust in the music and the chemistry between its players. Featuring Brandon Scott Coleman on guitar, Matt Wiles on upright bass, and Jeff Mellott on drums, “Trust Fall” captures the essence of jazz as it was meant to be: spontaneous, visceral, and profoundly human.
Listen to Trust Fall NOW!
Out now, Trust Fall is a direct nod to the timeless tradition of classic live jazz trio recordings, drawing inspiration from groundbreaking albums like Bill Evans' Live at the Village Vanguard and Keith Jarrett's Live at the Deer Head Inn. These iconic sessions were celebrated for their unpremeditated beauty and the unspoken trust between the musicians. Similarly, the trio’s approach to Trust Fall is based on total spontaneity—each track is a completely unarranged, impromptu take on jazz standards, recorded with no preconceived notions, countoffs, or predetermined structures.
“We wanted the record to feel like a true ‘trust fall’—the music, the moment, and the connection between us,” said Coleman. “There are no rehearsed arrangements, no set tempos, and no rules. It’s just us playing together and trusting that the music will unfold naturally.”
The trio’s 10-year relationship provides the foundation for this fearless musical venture. With Wiles and Mellott, Coleman has built a deep, intuitive understanding of one another’s playing— something that shines through on every track. The album features fresh interpretations of beloved jazz standards, including “Darn That Dream,” “Sonnymoon for Two,” “Alone Together,” and “Invitation.” Each of these compositions is approached with complete spontaneity, free from any prearranged structures or countoffs, allowing the trio to explore new dimensions of the familiar.
In addition to these standards, Trust Fall also includes three entirely improvised compositions —“Trust Fall I,” “Trust Fall II,” and “Trust Fall III”—that embody the trio’s commitment to free-form expression. These fully spontaneous pieces highlight the deep musical connection between Coleman, Wiles, and Mellott, as they navigate the uncharted waters of improvisation, creating music in the moment with no safety net.
“It’s not about trying to play something perfect,” says Coleman. “It’s about capturing the essence of the music in that instant. We’re listening to each other, reacting, and responding in real time. The risk of letting go and trusting each other in that way is where the magic happens.”
Brandon Coleman is a world-class guitarist whose versatile talent has earned him a reputation among some of the most respected musicians in jazz, folk, and world music. Over the years, he has shared the stage with jazz luminaries like Jamey Haddad, Sam Blakeslee, Dan Pugach and Nicole Zuraitis, while also collaborating with prominent artists from other genres, including indie-folk songwriter Ben Sollee. His dynamic style blends sophisticated harmonic sensibilities with an earthy, improvisational spirit, making him one of the most sought-after players in his field. With “Trust Fall”, Coleman brings his diverse musical influences and masterful technique into a collaborative environment that highlights both his virtuosity and his deep connection to his bandmates.
The intimate, live-recording setting adds to the rawness of the album, embracing the imperfections that come with creating music in the moment. The result is a recording that feels both timeless and immediate, rich with the kind of emotional connection and risk-taking that make live jazz a singular experience.
Trust Fall is a celebration of both the beauty and uncertainty that define the best of jazz—an album that invites listeners to take the leap into a world where every note is a risk, and every performance a revelation.
