Any one of these names would be enough to draw one’s attention, but together they are compelling.

This live session, in New York’s famous Birdland, must have been a wonderful occasion and it’s great to have this small selection, drawn from two nights in December 2009.

Konitiz’s deliberately oblique approach, seeking a fresh way into familiar material (from Lover Man to Oleo) is brilliantly set off by Mehldau’s inventive piano with contributions from Haden and Motian, which go rather further than just rhythmic support.