On the album Actualize, the Paul Zaborac Trio, featuring Bill Williams on bass and Deva Permana on drums, explores the concept of using the saxophone as an accompaniment instrument through the various extended techniques available to the saxophone. By using the saxophone in such a way, the ensemble explores and pushes the boundaries of the traditional tenor trio format. This novel approach to the saxophone is also juxtaposed with more traditional approaches to the instrument and ensemble, creating a music rich in contrasts and textures. The inspiration for exploring the concept of using the saxophone as accompaniment came from listening to jazz piano trios. In this ensemble a wide variety of textures can be created despite the limited instrumentation because of the piano's ability to provide both accompaniment and melodic material. This affords the ensemble a large degree of flexibility that is not as easily achieved in a jazz saxophone trio due to the saxophone's limited comping ability. This led one to explore using the vast array of extended techniques available to the saxophone as a means for it to function as an accompaniment instrument and provide more diverse textures. Inspiration for how to effectively utilize these extended techniques was largely drawn from the classical contemporary saxophone idiom, where there are examples of them being applied in a virtuosic and musical fashion. Hopefully you will find this music interesting and enjoyable to listen to. Peace, Paul