Tumble is a Northern California-based collective that began in 2014 as the trio of Robert Heirendt on mbira, Sean Kerrigan on guitar, and Randy McKean on tenor saxophone and clarinets. Drawing inspiration from the groups Oregon, Codona, the Art Ensemble of Chicago, and musicians such as John Coltrane and Thomas Mapfumo, the group’s intricate compositions combine folkish melodies and driving rhythms with an improvisational sensibility.

Tumble’s newest release was recorded during bassist Bill Douglass’s three-year tenure with the band (2015 to 2018). Douglass’s bass work anchors the diverse set of music on Waves: propulsive, multi-layered originals by Kerrigan, freer experimental compositions by McKean and Heirendt, and innovative arrangements by the group of classic tunes by Thelonious Monk and Wayne Shorter.