In an interview recorded as an afterthought to American Classic, a 1982 Dexter Gordon session, the then sixty-one year old tenor saxophonist was asked about the future of jazz. He replied, “Bebop is the music of the future.” His return to the US from a self imposed exile not only signaled the resurgence of bebop but opened the door for a very young Wynton Marsalis to carry it’s banner. As succeeding generations answer the call, Dexter’s memory and his cause is in good hands. Case and point, bassist Phil Palombi is a loyal devotee to his calling as a bassist and bop composer.

JazzPolice.com
Tri-Fi Postcards – (2007) | By Andrea Canter
Published: January 8th, 2008
Tri-Fi, Postcards

Tri-Fi, (L-R): Keith Hall, Matthew Fries, Phil Palombi.

Fans of vocalist Curtis Stigers have known for years that he is supported by one of the finest and most cohesive rhythm sections in the business. Finally in 2005 pianist Matthew Fries, bassist Phil Palombi, and drummer Keith Hall went off to the studio on their own to document their collaboration as Tri-Fi. Now following their auspicious eponymous debut, the threesome have released Postcards with ten original tracks–five from Fries, three from Hall and two from Palombi. Saxophonist Steve Wilson is featured on several tracks, and even Stigers himself has a few spoken words on the final cut. Noting that most of the compositions were specifically written for this recording, Hall points out that “we also took some chances exploring some different directions, which I think proved to be a lot of fun and very musical.” The different directions reflect the stylistic differences among the three composers, creating a divergent set ranging from ballad to straight ahead up tempo to more playful and angular works.

JazzReview.com
Tri-Fi Postcards – (2007) | By Brian S. Lunde
Published: 2007
READ REVIEW
Featured Artist: TRI-FI

Musicians: Matthew Fries (piano), Keith Hall (drums), Phil Palombi (bass), guest artist Steve Wilson (soprano and alto sax) on three tracks

Review: The jazz trio is of course one of the pillars of instrumentation for the expression of jazz music. It contains only the essential ingredients: rhythm, a bass line foundation, and harmonic and melodic voice. In Postcards, Tri-Fi deftly illustrates why the jazz trio is so enduring. This is a wonderful record full of the sunlight and beauty that jazz can be.

All About Jazz
Tri-Fi Tri-Fi – CAP (2005) | By E.J. Iannelli
Published: December 24, 2005

Tri-Fi comprises pianist Matthew Fries, drummer Keith Hall, and bassist Phil Palombi. The trio itself is relatively new, this eponymous disc marking its first recording as such; yet Fries, Hall, and Palombi have been playing together for years and working up a considerable rapport as the backing band for Curtis Stigers, who, incidentally, contributes guest vocals to the only non-original track here, the closing “You Go to My Head.”

A quick look at the songwriting credits should give some idea what Tri-Fi is about: balance, unity. Fries has penned four tracks, and Hall and Palombi wrote three each. These are spaced accordingly throughout the disc, not divvied up into uniform sections to suggest that one musician/composer should take precedence over another, or that any member of this trio prefers to think of himself in any context other than this one. And it follows, then, that the performances are equally balanced and unified. There is an almost tangible sense of solidarity among these three, and the perpetual forward thrust of the music–ever swinging, ever groovy–conveys this shared purpose and their flawless intercommunication.

NYCjazzrecord.com
Phil Palombi RE: Person I Knew – A Tribute To Scott LaFaro – (2011) | By Ken Dryden
Published: 2011
Featured Artist: Phil Palombi

CD Title: RE: Person I Knew – A Tribute To Scott LaFaro
Year: 2011
Record Label: LeGoat Records
Style: Straight-Ahead / Classic
Musicians: Phil Palombi (bass), Don Friedman (piano), Eliot Zigmund (drums)

Bassist Phil Palombi takes special care in this tribute to the gifted bassist Scott LaFaro, who was killed in an automobile accident at age 25. LaFaro’s 1825 Abraham Prescott bass was loaned to Palombi for this recording but Palombi doesn’t simply rehash a lot of songs that LaFaro recorded during his short life; in fact, only two of the compositions here were played by LaFaro. Instead Palombi recruited two musicians he had played with individually: veteran pianist Don Friedman and drummer Eliot Zigmund, best known for his work with Bill Evans in the mid to late ‘70s.

02/17/12
Phil Palombi
Re: Person I Knew: A Tribute To Scott LaFaro
Le Goat
By Bill Milkowski

Commemorating 50 years since the legendary bassist’s untimely passing, Phil Palombi plays the restored 1825 Prescott upright that once belonged to Scott LaFaro. Joined by one-time Bill Evans drummer Eliot Zigmund and veteran pianist Don Friedman, he performs two Evans staples, “Turn Out the Stars” and the title track, as well as a number of thoughtful originals. Palombi’s exceptional facility and musical depth is showcased on three unaccompanied pieces and a stirring duet with Zigmund on LaFaro’s signature tune, “Gloria’s Step.”