MICHAEL DEASE w/the MSU JAZZ TROMBONES

SPARTAN STRONG

Origin Records

Michael Dease, a student of the great Wycliffe Gordon and part of the class of the jazz studies program at Julliard, has continued his dedication to educating and entertaining the world, and inspiring students with American jazz music. One of the Dease Mentees is Detroit bassist, Rodney Whitaker, who continued to educate and inspire others as a mentor himself. His goal has been to teach 1000 leaders, who would each go on to teach and inspire 1000 more.

This album, “Spartan Strong” is the result of a year-long process conceived and produced by Dease. He recognized his students have already accomplished so much in winning several national and international awards, both individually and as a trombone ensemble.

“A recording to me, is a photograph in sound,” Michael Dease wrote in his liner notes.

“Huesos Con Clave” opens their album with gusto.  The up-tempo, Latin arrangement dances across my listening room with bravado. This is followed by bass trombonist, Wyatt Forhan’s composition “Remembrance” that reminds me of a hymnal. Muller Santiago is the soloist. The ensembles’ arrangement of the Thelonious Monk tune, “Evidence” is lovely. The piano solo by Xavier Davis is quite impressive, framed by beautiful trombone harmonics and trombone solos by Muller-Santiago and Forhan.

I enjoyed the Slide Hampton “Frame for the Blues” arrangement, followed by the Randy Brecker composition, “Some Skunk Funk.” They move from a slow blues to a funky up-tempo arrangement of the Brecker tune. Bass trombonist, Chris Glassman, pumps the tune up with energy and funk.

You will enjoy some old standard tunes like “It Could Happen to You” featuring guest artist Benny Benack III on vocals, and “The Nearness of You.” With a spectacular trombone solo by Nanami Haruta.

The arrangement on “Song of Those Who Seek” is opened by bassist Reuben Stump and features guest artist, Sharel Cassity on alto saxophone. Eli Howell and Charles Scanlon add their trombone solos to the mix.

This is an entertaining and well-represented MSU jazz trombone ensemble, led by Michael Dease.  Perhaps he explains it best when he says:

            “My wish list for the audience is to walk away singing some of the melodies, remembering the solo highlights, and learning just how rich and buttery trombones can sound together. … Being a jazz trombone professor at a renowned program like Michigan State University helps me in working towards this goal.”

THE MSU JAZZ TROMBONES: Michael Dease, Daniel Bear, Aidan Clark, Miles Cole, Hannah Davies, Judah Guerra, Nanami Haruta, Eli Howell, Drew Kilpela, Andrew Kim, Pablo Muller-Santiago, Dan Parrish, Charles Scanlon, Altin Sencálar, Bridgette Setters, Ken Thompkins, Jack Trathen; Bass Trombones: Gina Benalcazar-Lopez, Wyatt Forman, Chris Glassman, Charles Grace Jr., Arthur Motl, & Kyle Quick. RHYTHM SECTION: Xavier Davis & Ethan Frank, piano; Jared Beckstead-Craan & Reuben Stump, bass; Keith Hall, Brian Allen & Randy Gelispie, drums. SPECIAL GUESTS: Benny Benack III, vocals. Sharel Cassity, alto saxophone.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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