Trinidad’s solos bring to mind the otherworldly (or fourth-worldly, as he might have put it) avant-gardist Jon Hassell, who passed away this year. It’s an introspective, brief journey that’s just as fascinating as “Prayer,” but on a smaller scale. As opposed to Sanford’s orchestral setting, this one is just Trinidad playing his horn and interacting with his own minimal electronics. Meanwhile, Joshua Trinidad, yet another thoughtful Colorado trumpeter, brings us “Sleeping With My Worries” (Subcontinental Records).
“Sleeping With My Worries” by Colorado musician Joshua Trinidad. “Prayer” provides a vital boost to 21st-century big-band jazz. Ragin conducts his own piece as well as soloing, and it’s a deep, resonant listening experience. Ragin, who also performs as part of the historic Art Ensemble of Chicago, contributes the album’s title composition, which pays homage to Bowie, the well-loved original Art Ensemble trumpeter, who brought irreverence (and much more) to that band. The well-deserved spotlight at crucial points in the album’s hour-plus runtime. CU associate professor of Jazz Studies Brad Goode is present in the brass section, and fellow area trumpeter-academic Hugh Ragin is given
Sanford’s expansive arrangements help make for one of the more engaging large-group albums of the year, and the music alternates between raucous and pensive. (Lauren Lancaster for The New York Times)Įast Coast composer and big bandleader David Sanford has just released the powerful “A Prayer For Lester Bowie” on Dave Douglas’ (also a visionary trumpeter) Greenleaf Music label. One musician described David Sanford’s work as “a 360-degree universe. New jazz releases from Colorado-based trumpeters and moreĪ pair of new releases featuring Colorado-based trumpeters once again show the prominence and ingenuity of creative artists from our state.