ANDREW KIM

LINEAGE

Origin Records

Andrew Kim, trombone; Sharel Cassity, alto & tenor saxophones; Xavier Davis, piano; Rodney Whitaker, bass; Ulysses Owens, Jr., drums; SPECIAL GUESTS: Randy Napooleon, guitar; Michael Dease, baritone saxophone/producer; Steve Bowman, bass.

Trombonist Andrew Kim is a recent graduate of the Jazz Studies Program at Michigan State University. In celebration of his higher learning achievement, the first thing he wanted to do was to record. He is supported on this project by his mentor, Michael Dease, who is also the album’s producer.

“As a college professor with over 20 years of teaching experience, I can share that Andrew represents the kind of student whom educators remember long after they graduate. … That he’s chosen to apply those skills to making music is to our collective benefit,” compliments Dr. Mark Lomanno who wrote Kim’s liner notes. Dr. Lomanno is an educator at the University of Miami.

The first tune is titled “Kimposter” but Andrew Kim is no imposter.  He’s the real deal! The horns open the tune, gustily singing the melody before Andrew Kim offers us his trombone solo.  This is followed by an impressive tenor sax solo by Sharel Cassity. Kim has contributed this original song to the project.  It is one of five he offers as a composer.

The second tune on the album quickly becomes one of my favorites.  It’s a composition by Rodney Whitaker, a professor at Michigan State University, a prolific bassist, and also a wonderful composer. Kim was introduced to this tune, “The World Falls Away” during their big band ensemble course and added it to his repertoire.

“Cube Steak” is a JJ Johnson tune.  It shines with a powerful drum introduction by Ulysses Owens, Jr., then Andrew Kim steps up to this JJ Johnson standard, prepared, talented and definitive on his instrument.  The tempo is challenging, but Kim handles it smoothly and with much technical finesse.

Another MSU faculty member wrote “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.”  Xavier Davis is an expert pianist and is part of Andrew Kim’s personnel lineup.

I am quite impressed with Andrew Kim as a young, innovative composer.  His tune “Nostos” has a beautiful melody. It spotlights his adeptness to orchestration and arranging. “Welcome Home” is another Kim composition. It is the featured ballad on this debut “Lineage” album. There is a thread of the blues stitched through this arrangement that takes its title from a catchphrase at MSU that students share with their incoming classmates. Also impressive is the challenging tune based on Charlie Parker’s “Confirmation” composition and titled “Discovered Ease.” This tune is dedicated to his MSU mentor and album producer, Michael Dease. It flies on the scene, taking a bebop stance and swinging hard! Dease adds his talents on baritone saxophone (an instrument I love) and Andrew Kim sounds amazing on his trombone. This composition is another one of my favorites from Kim’s album. I look forward to watching this young man’s talented trombone career soar. Over time, Andrew Kim is a name I believe will be added to the roster of great jazz musicians.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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