Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Bass trombonist Jennifer Wharton might be considered by many a unicorn in the world of music. In decades from the not-too-distant past, it was a rarity to even have a woman in prominent jazz bands and orchestras, but to have a bass trombone-slinging woman as leader was thought extraordinary. In 2019, Wharton presented her trombone-powered ensemble, Bonegasm, via a self-titled debut album. She enlisted fellow trombonists John Fedchock, Nate Mayland and Alan Ferber, along with the rhythm section of pianist Michael Eckroth, bassist Evan Gregor and drummer Don Peretz. Bonegasm’s new recording, “Not a Novelty,” features compositions commissioned from a variety of sources, all composers Wharton had worked with and felt a mutual level of musical simpatico that would benefit her ensemble.
“Kinetic” is the big band debut from pianist, composer, arranger, and orchestrator Steven Feifke. One of the most in-demand artists of his generation, Feifke has amassed an impressive discography, having appeared on 30 albums all before turning 30-years-old. He finally comes to the fore with music that was refined during his big band’s popular monthly residency at The Django in New York City that ran for nearly two years before COVID brought all live performances to a halt. These regular live performances afforded the band to develop a cohesive common language and solid rapport, lending a rare intimate air to this large ensemble recording.
Also this week, saxophonist and composer Steve Slagle offers new sounds to clear the air on his new sextet recording, “Nascentia,” with music developed during the pandemic;
rising star vibraphonist Behn Gillece leads an exciting quartet date of brilliant performances on “Still Doing Our Thing”;
and “Trio” features pianist Bill Cunliffe, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta.
Dylan Sines and Rufaro Muskwe return for their second go-round as guest DJs from Kennedy Jazz Band One. We learn how Dylan got “called up” to handle most of the Kennedy bass duties, what led Rufaro to switch from bari to tenor sax this year, and how the pandemic and derecho affected the band community at Kennedy.
Xavier senior Joanne Lee is joined by junior Randall Kinner and sophomore Alec Battien to talk about the year for Xavier Jazz Band One. Along the way, we learn about cha-cha-ing in the orchestra pit, and which jazz movie is required viewing for all JBO newbies!
David Reisner returns for his third go-round as a Guest DJ, joined by Rhea Lord and Chris Oberbroeckling, to play a mix of music they’ve played in jazz band, (where “dad jokes” seem to abound), and what are the best songs to fold laundry to.
Lisbon Seniors Zach Cooley and Ben Larson explain their band’s fascination with Charles Mingus, and what that has taught them about social justice. On a lighter note, we also learn about conducting the marching band while wearing a giant plastic Lion’s head, and hear an hour of excellent music!