JASON CHAROS

OPENING STATEMENT

Holistic MusicWorks

Jason Charos, trumpet/composer; Connor Rohrer, piano; Carlo De Rosa, bass; Ludwig Afonso, drums; David Mason, alto saxophone; Melvin Butler & Kendric McCallister, tenor saxophone. SPECIAL GUESTS: Brian Lynch, trumpet/album producer; Dafnis Prieto, drums.

Twenty-five-year-old rising star, Jason Charos is a composer, arranger and trumpeter who currently tours with Grammy winner and vocalist, Samara Joy.   Additionally, the Tampa Bay trumpeter and former Frost School student, was part of the Grammy-winning ensemble on Brian Lynch’s “Omni American Book Club” which was awarded “Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album” this year.  Brian Lynch is Jason’s former mentor.  He also produced this Charos album and makes a guest appearance.

Carlo De Rosa opens the first Charos composition with his bass setting the tone and tempo for this album.  This is Straight-ahead beauty, a throw-back to the Coltrane era.  Titled “Winged Words,” Melvin Butler shines on his tenor saxophone solo.  Then Jason Charos steps forward on his trumpet to blow the walls down in my listening room. He has a very exciting sound and presence. I was also impressed by the piano solo of Connor Rohrer.  To add the hot sauce to this tasty stew of musical brilliance, time is given to Ludwig Afonso’s busy and powerful drums during a dynamic solo.

These young players loudly state that jazz is alive and well.  Their album explores diverse musical landscapes including Latin Jazz, beautiful ballads and hard bop. They swing hard on “BL’s Bag” that features Brian Lynch on trumpet. Lynch is as smooth, sweet and soulful as molasses on hot biscuits.

His composition, “Love and Loss” is a ballad in a minor mode that touches my heart. Charos is a very fine composer and arranger, as well as a developing master on trumpet. Every song on this project brings the beauty of this artist to the universal light, like a star dancing on a deep navy horizon.  His brilliance is growing and tangible. This album is released on the trumpeter’s own record label, (Holistic MusicWorks). Jason Charos is one of the strong, vibrant jazz soldiers marching onto the current jazz scene.  I am a fan!

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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