It’s a little over three years since the Hutchinson Andrew Trio released their debut album Lost but not Forgotten. Certainly one of the best Canadian jazz releases of 2005, the debut reminded audiences that contemporary jazz could be fresh, relevant and above all original. The Hutchinson Andrew Trio’s new album, Music Box, released on Calgary’s boutique label Chronograph Records, continues the trio’s exploration of contemporary acoustic jazz, and they’ve never sounded better. Still skillfully mixing elements of contemporary swing, Latin and acoustic groove, the trio’s distinct sound has matured to a point where it is at the forefront of Canadian jazz. Bassist Kodi Hutchinson, pianist Chris Andrew and drummer Sandro Dominelli are all heavy hitters in the Western Canadian jazz scene, and though all keep busy with multiple projects, there was a time when Hutchinson wasn’t so sure Calgary was the musical centre musicians needed and wanted it to be.

“I think the time we last chatted, the Calgary music scene was just coming out of what I would consider a dark period,” admits Hutchinson. “At the time, the few clubs that were available to jazz musicians were either struggling or going out of business. This was frustrating to me, as the corporate music scene was very strong… At the time, it felt like many of the jazz musicians I knew here were not focusing heavily on creating their own music or voice, but more on cashing in on the corporate explosion. There seemed to be a small minority of musicians that really wanted to push musical boundaries.”

Always the optimist, Hutchinson readily admits things are making a turn for the better. Though the boom has a lot to do with it, Calgary is becoming a city for musicians to come back home to and make a living.

“The financial boom that we have all experienced of late has brought an influx of some great musicians to the city,” says Hutchinson. “Some have moved here from around the country, and some are native Calgarians who have decided to move back. These musicians have brought with them an attitude more about making good music and good art rather than just making money. It has really shaken up the scene here and made it more dynamic. I also think that the population explosion has brought more people here who want to experience good creative music, and they in turn are helping more Calgarians discover great music and musicians.”