The collaborative album Lingua Franca by Peter Epstein, Brad Shepik, and Matt Kilmer offers an immersive ten-track fusion of jazz improvisation and global rhythms spanning African, Middle Eastern, Balkan, Celtic, and reggae influences. This dynamic, bass-less trio seamlessly blends rigorous structure with total improvisational freedom to create a unique dialogue of “world jazz.” Driven by Kilmer’s colorful, propulsive hand drums, Shepik’s versatile, dense guitar soundscapes, and Epstein’s warm, singing alto and soprano saxophone lines, the music alternates effortlessly between deep, groove-based funk and timeless, folkish melodies. Infused with elegant nods to Indian, Arabic, Celtic, and reggae traditions, Lingua Franca is a masterfully democratic, genre-defying sonic journey that offers listeners zero predictable moments from start to finish.