It is interesting that sax / piano / drums is the OP's example of an unusual trio setting.
There actually are not that many groups that play in that format, despite its allowing for pretty much everything, to my ears. The most exciting examples that I can think of come from the free jazz world, where the piano is not necessarily in a comping role. In contrast, the "sax trio" setting of saxophone, bass and drums is maybe a bit more well explored in the bop and bop-derived world.
I would be interested to hear from any musicians on the forum, or anyone with an ear better attuned than my own, as to why they think that this set up is comparatively rare in a bop-derived / straight ahead setting.
Does it present greater difficulties than e.g. a saxophone trio with bass instead of keyboards?