Boston-based pianist and composer Marc Soucy makes a stylish departure from progressive rock with his trio Antartica’s new single “When I Take The Five”. The track—a playful homage to Dave Brubeck’s legendary “Take Five”—showcases Soucy’s bold transition into West Coast jazz, filtered through his signature compositional innovation.
Recorded live in 1983 without overdubs, the single preserves a raw, smoky club atmosphere that highlights Soucy’s technical precision and the trio’s telepathic chemistry (with Jeff Carano on bass and Ray Lavigne on drums). Unlike traditional jazz improvisation, “When I Take The Five” unfolds like a carefully crafted suite—90% rehearsed, with just a few spontaneous flourishes—blending cool jazz’s languid sophistication with Soucy’s prog-rock roots in unexpected ways.
The title’s nod to Brubeck is more than tribute; it’s a creative challenge met. Soucy’s crisp piano lines dance around Lavigne’s brushed snare work and Carano’s walking bass, crafting a sound that feels both nostalgic and freshly inventive. For jazz purists, it’s a loving throwback; for prog fans, it’s proof of Soucy’s versatile musicianship.
A time-capsule gem that bridges 1983’s spontaneity and 2025’s revivalist energy. Soucy doesn’t just take five—he makes them count.
