Combo Size

I've been listening to a few trio albums recently, in particular Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans trios.

It occurred to me that it can be difficult to compare a trio to a group of larger size, like a quintet. The content of the music is much more diverse in albums such as "Blue Train" where there is a trumpet, trombone, and saxophone alternating solos along with the pianist and bass player also possibly taking solos.

I suppose this question depends entirely on one's opinion, but I think it's worth thinking about. Is a larger combo, for the most part, better than a small one? Many top jazz album lists on other sites seem to think so. Or is it perhaps "Not about the size, but how you use it"

I suppose I was excluding the works of big bands, limiting the question to whether a good lineup (like in Kind of Blue) is "better" with 6 people rather than 3 or 4.

Can you give recommendations for trios like that? That sounds awesome.

Kazuhiro wrote: Yes. I collected albums of trio where there was not a piano player before. The form may be in the form that it is more irregular than piano trio. However, the form can enjoy possibility of trio. Probably by a line of sax-bass-drums. Some albums are these. I believe that it is an entrance for this to enjoy trio album. A Night at the Village Vanguard - Sonny Rollins Motion - Lee Konitz At The "Golden Circle" - Ornette Coleman Triplicate - Dave Holland The Dark Keys - Branford Marsalis