Six-time Grammy winner Billy Childs has announced his new album, Triumvirate, set for release on April 24 via Mack Avenue Records. The project marks his first trio recording in 25 years, featuring bassist Matt Penman and drummer Ari Hoenig. A single, “One Fleeting Instant,” is available now.
Billy Childs, a pianist and composer with nearly 50 years in jazz, revealed details of his upcoming album Triumvirate on February 27, 2026. The record revives material from his early Windham Hill recordings in an intimate trio format, capturing the synergy of Childs, Penman, and Hoenig.
“One Fleeting Instant,” the lead single, reimagines a track from Childs's 1988 debut, Take for Example This…. Childs described its inspiration: “Years ago, I heard a performance of the Neil Hefti song ‘Cute,’ and it featured my good friend Steve Houghton on drums playing brushes. I really dug how the arrangement gave him room to fill in between the hits. Also, I used to love how the great piano trios – Oscar Peterson, Monty Alexander, Bill Evans – had a chamber-ish, almost telepathic connection between themselves. I feel that way performing with Matt Penman and Ari Hoenig in this trio.”
Childs selected the repertoire to revisit lesser-known works. “Mack Avenue has allowed me to get back to a smaller group situation for the first time since those Windham Hill recordings,” he explained. “Part of the motivation for choosing these songs is that I regret that those albums are not more widely heard.”
Penman, a member of SFJAZZ Collective, has collaborated with artists including John Scofield and Wayne Shorter, and co-founded James Farm with Joshua Redman. Hoenig, noted for his distinctive drumming, has performed with groups like Chris Potter Underground and Kurt Rosenwinkel's band. Though not previously recorded together officially, the trio had played during quartet performances with musicians such as Steve Wilson.
“It always felt great,” Childs said of their chemistry. “I’d seen Ari play in some amazing trios... I was blown away by his sensitivity to the piano... Matt is just a magical player to work with. They both make music in a way that elevates a trio, so I said to myself, ‘I need to record with these people.’”
Triumvirate follows Childs's 2023 album, The Winds of Change, which earned a Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Album. Over his career, Childs has won six Grammys and received 17 nominations, while composing for ensembles like the Kronos Quartet and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
The album tracklist includes: One Fleeting Instant, Carefree, Like Father Like Son, Heroes, Whisper Not, Ask Me Now, Lazy Afternoon, and Flamenco Sketches.
Childs will support the release with tour dates starting April 30 in San Francisco, including stops in Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., and others through June.
