The Wee Trio

The Wee Trio is a collaborative musical exploration consisting of vibraphonist James Westfall, bassist Dan Loomis, and drummer Jared Schonig. In what started as a regular collective of Brooklyn musicians who got together to jam, chemistry quickly formed and thus was born The Wee Trio.

The band kicked off their inaugural tour performing throughout New York and Pennsylvania playing at a few clubs, a Jazz Festival, and an Artist Residency at a local University. The band reconvened back in Brooklyn to record and document the trio. The documented recording entitled Capital Diner Vol. 1 features original compositions by the trio with a few standards composed by Kurt Cobain, Sufjan Stevens, and Thelonious Monk. Needless to say the groups eclectic style has really helped them stand out in the New York jazz scene.

The Wee Trio comes from different areas of the USA; Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Houston. It wasn’t until Jared Schonig and Dan Loomis met, while attending Eastman School of Music, that the hook up was laid down. Meanwhile James Westfall was chosen by Herbie Hancock and Terence Blanchard to attend the Thelonious Monk Institute. After finishing his studies, he moved to Brooklyn, coincidentally, across the street from the apartment the rhythm section shared.

Each member of the Wee Tree is a leader in their own right. Their respective recordings show the legacy of their visionary bandleading. Westfall's Independent was released on Bionic Records. Jazztimes writes “...declarative and uplifting, incorporating elements of rock and hip-hop...Westfall's style is distinctive” Meanwhile, Loomis’ I Love Paris was released on Jazz Excursion, was praised as “...one of the top releases of 2007” by Scott Yanow of All Music Guide.