Jacob Koller's "Music for Bowlers" is anything but another jazz piano trio. Splicing three vastly different musical experiences with a common purpose, the group successfully challenges the limits of this traditional instrumentation. With a classic trio synchronicity, they come together like an ensemble with years of playing, writing, and touring under their belts.

Koller's compositions are all over the map with regards to their genre. Yet all have an identifiable characteristic that ties them together into an intricately woven rug. Shorter pieces like "Knit to Own" and "New Goods" have a distinct setting and reveal the nuances of a particular scene from a multi-dimensional photograph. While "Qing" and "Gig for Gag" are epic adventures into unexplored territories that will keep you engaged for the turn of every corner. Even riddled with complex time signatures and unexpected metric modulations, a piece like "Nello" feels so natural that you will want to get up and dance.

A very special quality to the music is its appeal to a wide audience. At any moment, a listener may hear the influences of Chopin, Paul Bley, and Conlon Nancarrow. Traditional jazz lovers are intrigued by the beautiful harmonic complexity and the spontaneous improvisations. Younger rock fans are mesmerized by the band's ability to make torturous rhythmic grooves sound fluid and raw. Others appreciate the lyrical melodies and the overall feelings evoked within each piece. Although this music is extremely difficult to place in a single category, one thing is certain, "Music for Bowlers" is for anyone and everyone.

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