Cento Threeo is a jazz/Americana trio based out of Austin, Texas. Led by guitarist/composer Don Cento the band writes instrumental cinematic pieces that are rooted in composition but allow for improvisation in he classic jazz ensemble mode. Its latest record is Welcome to Mellowtown (SoundBridge Records). The cover with the neon sign evokes 1950s and 1960s noir cinema with a keen sense for crafting mood and texture so that each track seems to convey a narrative without a word. Song titles take on the names of characters like “Dennis Muren” or “Horse-Breaking Hector” and you can all but envision these people. The title “Seven Year Ache” is a clear nod to the 1955 Billy Wilder romantic comedy The Seven Year Itch staring Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell. The core group comprised of Cento, drummer Norm Bergeron and bassist Phil Spencer seem to have a command of the sensibilities of multiple decades and though the music evokes film noir there is a bright tone to the music so that it doesn’t dip into obvious musical formulations and figures in constructing an emotional resonance with the music. It’s an energetic record that is full of life and not retro or “vintage.” Its mix of styles is very much of the now.
Listen to our interview with Don Cento on Bandcamp and follow Cento Threeo at the links below.
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