(Eagle Records)

While pianist Neil Cowley may not consider the music he and his trio produce to be “jazz”, the intensity and innovativeness give it essential elements that jazz and other fans can embrace. Live In Montreux 2012, his latest production is captured live at the eclectic music festival. The music has a serious edge, but with enough melodic, head-bopping elements that a Radiohead or Coldplay fan can appreciate. The inventiveness and artistry of the musicians definitely appeals to the jazz sensibility. From what can be heard of the audience in attendance for their performance (also available on DVD) there is a great appreciation for the performance of Cowley and his band. The rest of the trio is Evan Jenkins on drums and Rex Horan on bass. The addition of strings on several tunes from violinists Julian Ferraretto and Miles Brett, along with Helen Sanders-Witt on viola and Alex Eichenberger on cello gives the music, almost all of which Cowley composed, even more color and cinema. Whatever you call it this, it is thoroughly engaging music that defies boundaries with an appeal that would draw a broad swath of music lovers of any labelled genre.