CD Review: Nick Grinder "Farallon"

Trombonist, Composer and Arranger Nick Grinder is one of the brightest new musicians on the Jazz scene today.  His tone and technique bring the Trombone back to the forefront of important voices in Jazz today.  Slide Hampton had this to say about Nick, "An import future voice in Jazz Trombone".  Alan Ferber said,  Nick has "The best blend of Saxophone-like technique with the expressive nuances of the Trombone".  Nick studied at Cal State Northridge in Los Angeles with Bob McChesney and pursued his master's degree at NYU.  His bi-coastal studies exposed him to many different approaches to Jazz that show up in his playing and composing.  Nick wrote 8 of the 9 songs on "Farallon" that was released last month.

The name of the CD was inspired by the Farallon Islands that lie just 30 miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge that provide a secure home to a rich variety of seabirds and marine mammals.  Nick has a deep attachment to the islands.  "When you grow up in a place, you have these markers that end up having a special meaning and feeling that sneaks in and helps to define who we are".

Nick has written 8 wonderful fresh, new compositions for this CD and one from a Thelonious Monk classic, "Reflections" that evoke the sentiments he derives from his own favorite music.

The approach Nick takes to composing is certainly modern but stays closely to warm melodies and  welcoming emotions.  He has brought some talented musicians who are also friends,  Juanma Trujillo on Guitar, Ethan Helm on Saxophone, Walter Stinson on Bass and Matt Honor on Drums.  I am looking forward to many years of wonderful new music from this Trombone superstar!

Playlist:
1. "New and Happy"
2. "Potential"
3. "5 Steps"
4. "Inaction"
5. "Belly Up"
6. "Deciduous"
7. "Farallon"
8. "Staged"
9. "Reflections"

Players:
Nick Grinder- Trombone, Arranger, Composer
Ethan Helm- Saxophone
Juanma Trujillo- Guitar
Walter Stinson- Bass
Matt Honor- Drummer

I have attached two "YouTube" videos highlighting songs from this CD.  The first is a Nick Grinder composition entitled "New and Happy"  and the second is the classic Thelonious Monk composition "Reflections".  I am sure you will enjoy both!

CD Review: Kenny Lavender's "Conscious Journey Part 1 & 2"

                                                                         

There is a great, new big band in town put together under the leadership of multi-talented Trumpet player, Kenny Lavender.  He has built a 17 piece band using some of the finest players on the New York scene. Kenny produced and arranged the 11 songs on this double CD and composed 8 of the songs. The sounds from this band are "hip", and, yet the ties to the great big bands of the past are very visible. As I listened to the cuts, the sounds evoked memories of the great Maynard Ferguson band, Woody Herman and Jack Sheldon bands. The sounds are crisp, new and, yet, comfortably familiar all at the same time. The arrangements are superb! This CD is a wonderful showcase for not only Kenny Lavender but also for the sparkling solos from the major league supporting musicians.

Lavender named the CD "Conscious Journey" because the songs he wrote reflect the different stages of life he has traveled, "from falling in love with my wife to dealing with addiction and a lot in between". Because the solos on the album are so remarkably good, I listed the soloists for each song below. I thought you would want to know because I did.

Those of us who love the big band sound will be delighted to listen to this CD. We don't get too many opportunities to hear new big bands these days, and if you only listen to one this year, this is the one to get.

                         "Conscious Journey Part I"

1. "Velocity": Solos by Nathan Childers and Kenny Lavender
2. "As I Close My Eyes": Solos by Rick Germanson and Scott Wendholt
3. "Beauty In A Kiss": Solo Kenny Lavender
4. "Down In NOLA": Solos Kurt Bacher and Alan Ferber
5. "9th Ave Song": Solos Jason Rigby and Rick Germanson
6. "Flow Through Me": Solos Phil Palombi and Kurt Bacher

                        "Conscious Journey Part II"

1. "Caravan": Solos Kenny Lavender and Alejandro Aviles
2. "I Could Write A Book": Solos Kenny Lavender
3. "Happiness": Solos Rick Germanson and Kenny Lavender
4. "Clark's Bark": Solo Kenny Lavender
5. "Una Mas": Solos Kenny Lavender and Jason Rigby

                     I have attached  5  minute YouTube video previewing the songs from this CD.