There’s something undeniably electric about a Good Trees River Band live show, and a big part of that magic comes from their deep-rooted connection to improvisation and jazz. You can’t talk about the band’s ability to keep each performance fresh and unpredictable without digging into the influence that jazz and freeform playing have on their music. These aren’t just songs—they’re living, breathing experiences that shift and evolve in real-time, often leading both the band and the audience into uncharted territory.
While psychedelic and progressive rock form the core of Good Trees River Band’s sound, the spirit of jazz, with its focus on improvisation, spontaneity, and musical conversation, is always present in the way they approach songwriting and live performance. Let’s break down how jazz influences flow through the veins of their music and how improvisation keeps Good Trees moving ever forward.
The Roots of Jazz in Psychedelic and Progressive Rock
Before we jump into how Good Trees River Band incorporates jazz and improvisation into their music, it’s worth remembering that jazz has been intertwined with rock for decades. From the early experimental work of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, to the way progressive rock pioneers like King Crimson and Frank Zappa pushed the boundaries of rock with jazz-inspired time signatures and instrumental freedom, the genres have always fed off each other.
For Good Trees River Band, this influence is baked into their DNA. Guitarist Danny Circharo and drummer Evan Valentine, in particular, grew up listening to a mix of classic rock and jazz, blending the improvisational freedom of jazz with the soaring, experimental energy of psychedelic rock. This musical upbringing led them to create a sound that’s constantly in motion, always leaving room for new ideas to surface, even in the middle of a performance.
Improv as a Way of Life: The Jam Session Mentality
One of the most defining aspects of Good Trees River Band is their improvisational approach, particularly during live performances. Like any good jazz ensemble, they treat the stage as a playground where ideas can be explored, expanded upon, and sometimes discarded altogether. Each show is a blank canvas, and the band fills it with whatever musical conversation happens to take place that night.
Drummer Evan Valentine talks about their live performances as “jam sessions in disguise.” Even though the band has a setlist and general structure for their songs, those are just starting points. “We like to throw curveballs at each other,” says Evan. “Sometimes, I’ll change the groove out of nowhere, and Danny will respond with a new riff, or Ned will throw in a bassline that shifts the whole vibe of the song.”
This level of spontaneity is where the jazz influence really shines through. In the same way that jazz musicians will riff off of each other’s ideas, Good Trees builds their live performances around a fluid conversation between instruments. The result is a dynamic, constantly evolving sound that makes each show unique.
The “Take It Somewhere Else” Approach
One of the things that set Good Trees River Band apart is their ability to take a song in completely unexpected directions. They’ll start with a familiar theme or riff, but before long, they’ll break away, letting the music wander into new territory. This “take it somewhere else” approach is a hallmark of jazz, where musicians are encouraged to stray from the written music and explore new ideas.
In songs like “Driftwood Jam,” this approach is taken to the extreme. The song starts with a simple, groovy riff, but within minutes, the band has ventured far from the original idea. Danny’s guitar solos twist and turn, sometimes leading the band into extended atmospheric sections, while Evan and Ned lock into rhythmic conversations that ebb and flow. By the time they return to the main theme, the song has morphed into something entirely new.
This kind of musical exploration is what keeps Good Trees’s live shows so exciting. They’re not just playing songs—they’re creating new experiences every night, and no two performances are ever the same.
Polyrhythms and Jazz-Inspired Time Signatures
Jazz’s influence on Good Trees River Band also shows up in their use of complex rhythms and time signatures. While jazz drummers often play with polyrhythms—where two different rhythms are layered on top of each other—Evan Valentine brings this same rhythmic complexity to the band’s progressive rock sound.
In songs like “Cosmic Spiral,” Evan uses polyrhythms to create a sense of tension and release. The drums might be playing in one time signature, while Ned’s bassline is in another, creating a shifting, dynamic groove that feels constantly on the verge of exploding. This interplay between different rhythms adds a layer of unpredictability to the music, keeping the listener hooked as they try to figure out where the groove is going next.
These jazz-inspired rhythms also show up in the band’s improvisational sections. When the band breaks into a jam, Evan and Ned often play with shifting time signatures, giving Danny the freedom to explore new melodic ideas on guitar. This rhythmic foundation allows the band to take their improvisations in unexpected directions, adding complexity and depth to their live performances.
Communication Without Words: The Band’s Musical Language
Improvisation isn’t just about playing notes—it’s about communication. When Good Trees River Band is on stage, they’re constantly communicating with each other through their instruments, using subtle cues and musical language to guide the flow of the performance. This kind of non-verbal communication is central to jazz, where musicians rely on listening and responding to each other in real-time.
This is something that Good Trees has perfected over years of playing together. “When we’re on stage, we don’t need to talk,” says bassist Ned Brady. “We just know where the music is going because we’re all so in sync. It’s like we’re speaking the same musical language.”
One example of this is their track “Nightfall Jam,” where the band stretches out into a long, improvised section that feels like a conversation between the instruments. Danny’s guitar will introduce a theme, and Ned will respond with a counter-melody, while Evan subtly shifts the rhythm to keep things moving. This back-and-forth is at the heart of the band’s improvisational approach, allowing them to create music that feels organic and alive.
Live Albums and Capturing the Magic
While improvisation is a huge part of Good Trees River Band’s live shows, it’s something they also bring into the studio. Their live albums, such as “Beyond the Horizon,” capture the magic of their live performances, showcasing the band’s ability to take familiar songs and turn them into something new every time. These albums are a testament to the band’s jazz-inspired improvisational approach, where each track feels like a snapshot of a moment in time, never to be repeated.
Recording live albums allows the band to showcase their improvisational skills while also giving fans a taste of what their live shows are like. “We wanted our live albums to feel like you’re in the room with us,” explains Danny. “It’s not about playing the songs perfectly—it’s about capturing the energy of the moment and letting the music take on a life of its own.”
Improvisation as a Core Element of Good Trees River Band’s Sound
Jazz and improvisation are at the heart of Good Trees River Band’s music, shaping everything from their songwriting to their live performances. Their ability to communicate through their instruments, explore new ideas on the fly, and keep each show fresh and unpredictable is what makes them stand out in the modern psychedelic and progressive rock scene.
As we move into the next part of this series, we’ll dive deeper into the concept albums and storytelling elements that make Good Trees a band that doesn’t just create songs, but entire worlds for their listeners to explore. Stay tuned—it’s only getting more interesting from here.
