lonelyangel

Check out Neil Yates - no relation to Alex (as far as I know).

Neil has one of the most distinctive sounds on the jazz scene - he has almost inented a new way of playing the trumpet. His latest album, New Origins is one of the most hauntingly beautiful recordings I have ever heard.

Neil has been working closely with celtic folk musicians over the last several years and their playing and ethos has inspired and informed his own playing. This music is a fusion of these influences and Neils own musical background - which as you can tell from the discography on his website is very rich.

You can also find him on my space where you can hear some sample tracks from the album, which is available to buy from Neils own site.

And no, that is not an alto flute you hear - it is a trumpet.

http://www.neilyates.co.uk

Hope you enjoy. Noel.

Dan Millheim

I have just purchases the CD: "ER" by Norwegian trumpet player, composer and producer, Niles Petter Molvaer,off iTunes. According to his website, Mr. Molvauer incorporates; "jazz trumpet, ambient and electronic elements..." in his unique sound. Think acid trip without the acid ! Very engaging when listening to a headphone mix. A quick perusal of his additional CD's on iTunes (FYI: he was the #1 jazz download on the German iTunes recently) also favor a dark brooding of trumpet electronica whose melancholy textures might make prosaic patients run for the exits? Also, for a guy who is billed as a trumpet artist, it almost sounds, at times, like he was trying very hard to NOT sound like a trumpet? Go figure? Here's another interesting thought...

When he was playing his instrument, I felt his tone was reminiscent of American new comer, Christian Scott. According to Scott's Bio, he "pushes air from his lungs" (say what?) for his unique one- of- a- kind tone. Scott said it took him two years to develop his signature sound. For the record, I love Christian Scott's "Rewind That" CD. It is an amazing showcase of talent that promises a bright future for the young trumpeter. But given the 20 year or so gap in age between he and Molvauer, Molvauer, it would appear, had that particular "sound," long before Scott knew which end to blow on.

I recommend Niles Petter Molvaer's work for any who might like to experience a true "sonic adventure." Again, if listening on high quality headphones, one can appreciate the various layers of tones and textures that push the traditional boundaries of traditional jazz trumpet to oblivion. Just be sure and hide your razor blades first.

Trumpeters_Lullaby

Lately, Alison Balsom. She's truly an amazing player with alot of beautiful material. I recommend her cd "Caprice" to anyone. www.alisonbalsom.com Also check out: http://youtube.com/watch?v=6W7bGzi9G2k

ilikethetrumpet

I've gone back to miles for a time, as we always do I suppose, and especially the early 60s miles. Maybe I've just been needing a relaxation, I don't know! But Someday My Prince Will Come, seven steps to heaven, live at the blackhawk... these are albums that sometimes get overlooked because he's not establishing a new genre with them--but they are just very finely played, tastefully arranged, beautiful music. Especially the first half of seven steps to heaven, where the band (half and half a chill, straight-ahead west coast unit and the ron carter/herbie hancock crew) investigates standards at shirley horn crawl tempos.

One thing I noticed from listening to these albums, that have very warm ballads: listen to "I thought about you" or "Basin Street Blues" for how Miles used vibrato with his closely muted harmon. I think too often we (at least I) play the harmon as if it's a knife that needs to cut, but towards the end of quiet phrases, he adds this incredibly graceful, slow clifford-esque vibrato that really adds a sweet quality to the tone while letting it stand out a bit from the straight tone of the piano. Everyone it seems to trash hank mobley since he is bracketed between coltrane and wayne shorter, but he plays with a more feathery tone that you can hear influence miles a bit. anyway, delightful albums, and if you have money to burn, I know columbia just released a bevy of live albums with the 62/63 or so george coleman/hancock/williams/carter unit that i haven't heard, but they're probably great.

green_eagle18

ive been listening to:

UNT One O'Clock Lab 2006
Wynton Marsalis - Big Train
Jazz at Lincoln Center presens: The Fire of the Fundamentals
The Brian Setzer Orchestra - The Dirty Boogie

Alex Yates

NDR (North German Radio) Big Band "Lend Me Your Ears", "Live at Moer's Festival - Frank Zappa's Hot Licks (and Funny Smells)" and Norma Winstone with the NDR Big Band "It's Later Than You Think".

These guys are red hot and tight and the arrangements by Colin Towns are wonderfully avant garde and refreshing. I was lucky enough to hear one of their concerts whilst in the UK. I met and spoke with three of the trumpeters - Ingolf Burkhardt, Thorsten Benkenstein and Claus Stotter. They are all incredible players with range and improv chops for days. Ingolf did some of the best plunger work I have ever heard. Just phenomenal talent and a joy to hear. If you ever have an opportunity to hear these guys, please do. I am sure you can find their CDs through the NDR site, but since it is all in German, I thought this site would be friendlier for those of you who are interested.

http://www.colintowns.com/index2.html

http://www1.ndr.de/ndr_pages_std/0,2570,SPM1128,00.html German page

tromj

I stopped by the recently revived Nyack Jazz Jam Session run by Matt Haviland after my gig on Sunday. As I was getting ready to go up and play, Duane Eubanks (younger brother of Kevin) came in and played right after me. (Damn. Wish he had entered about five minutes later) Well, I wasn't listening to him before, but I can assure you I will be listening to him a great deal very soon. That man can play.
Not flashy. Just great music, sound, time, swing,you know, the important stuff.

Alex Yates

Thank you for putting him on my radar Greg.

trumpetdiva1

Thanks for the idea. I will put my effort into really listening to Art Farmer and Thad Jones for at least one year. KD would be a nice addition, too. I've almost completed memorizing Art's solo (have four measures left), "Darn That Dream" from Modern Art and I'm working on transcribing one of his lyrical ballads, "Wisteria" from Early Art. I am now listening to Art Farmer's recording of "The Summer Knows." He is playing flugelhorn on ballads such as "The Summer Knows" and "Alfie." I've also been listening to some of Miles and Chet Baker. I’m chillin.’

Janell

tpter1

Yes... I've heard of Tomasz. I'll have to be on the lookout. Lately I've been listening to alot of Charles Lazarus, my Minnesota CD (gonna get more of those!), Paul Tynan, Trent. I can think of someone whose CD I'd like to add as soon as it comes available...