Ray Vega & Thomas Marriott - East-West Trumpet Summit

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:53
Size: 136,5 MB
Art: Front

(7:39)  1. It's You or No One
(6:22)  2. Juicy Lucy
(5:27)  3. Pelham Gardens
(6:20)  4. Bishop Island
(6:08)  5. Only of a Season
(4:49)  6. It's A New York Thing
(5:54)  7. Round Midnight / In A Sentimental Mood
(7:12)  8. Big Brother

Working the two coasts of jazz theory together, but using the Northwest as representative of modern West Coast jazz rather than the L.A. area, trumpeters Ray Vega and Thomas Marriott combine their formidable powers for good in a massive set. The two trumpeters have played together over the years, and have become stalwarts of the local scenes in their respective cities (Marriott winning numerous awards and recording numerous exceptional albums in Seattle, Vega in New York). Here, they trade riffs and solos, follow paired melodic lines, and explore both energetic urban forms and more pastoral compositions. The album opens with Sammy Cahn's "It's You or No One," which makes a good first showing of the two styles and also introduces pianist Travis Shook and a hidden propensity to invoke Bud Powell as he courses through a massive solo. Horace Silver's "Juicy Lucy" uses the trumpets in tandem in a relaxed form reminiscent of some of the Dizzy Gillespie/Sonny Stitt sessions.

A couple of compositions from Marriott show off both urban energy (in a musical ode to New York in "Pelham Gardens") and contemplative balladry (in a musical ode to Seattle's Lake Washington in "Bishop Island"). Both provide excellent showcases of the trumpets, and Jeff Johnson's bass solo in "Bishop Island" additionally shows off some excellence. Vega's compositions take the opposite approach, building from a more pensive "Only of a Season" to the nearly hyperactive "It's a New York Thing," showing off some blazing horn techniques along the way. A medley of ballads lets both of the players show off their softer side, and the album finishes on Marriott's tribute to Vega. Musical summits rarely turn out as perfectly as one would hope, given the egos and/or deference of players to one another. This one lets both players respect one another, work together, and show off their own styles all at once. And it's all excellent.By Adam Greenberg
https://www.allmusic.com/album/east-west-trumpet-summit-mw0001991574

Personnel: Ray Vega (trumpet); Thomas Marriott (trumpet); Travis Shook (piano); Matt Jorgensen (drums).

East-West Trumpet Summit

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Conrad Herwig - The Latin Side of John Coltrane

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:04
Size: 161,0 MB
Art: Front

(1:17)  1. Blessing
(6:05)  2. A Love Supreme (Supremo Amor)
(6:52)  3. Blue Train
(9:38)  4. Afro-Blue
(4:41)  5. Naima
(7:59)  6. Satellite
(6:37)  7. Africa
(4:36)  8. After the Rain
(7:26)  9. Impressions
(7:44) 10. India
(5:43) 11. The Drum Thing
(1:20) 12. Blessing (Reprise)

A great idea beautifully executed by New York trombonist Conrad Herwig. The trombonist/arranger/musical director chooses Coltrane's most accessible material from a period that arguably spawned his best, most memorable work (1958-1964), devised simple, exploratory frameworks for each (recalling veteran Chico O'Farrill), then assembled an outstanding collection of musicians. In addition to Herwig's sinewy trombone, there's Brian Lynch on trumpet, Dave Valentin on flutes, Ronnie Cuber on baritone, Richie Beirach (who contributed to some of the arrangements), Danilo Perez and Eddie Palmeri on piano, Andy Gonzalez (from the Fort Apache Band) on bass and Milton Cardona on vocals and percussion. Selections are outstanding: "A Love Supreme," "Blue Train," (where Lynch trades fours with Herwig), "Afro Blue" (great flute solo by Valentine), "Naima" (beautifully featuring Beirach), "After The Rain," "Impressions" and "India." Throughout, Herwig solos flawlessly, with a sensitivity and fire that's reminiscent of the source of his tribute. Herwig's record, more than Joe Henderson's recent big-band event, sounds like a natural conclusion. The arrangements and performances work well together and the Latin environment seems a logical foundation for Coltrane's passions. One last note: Astor Place has done a beautiful job packaging The Latin Side of John Coltrane , sparing no expense for trendy art direction that recalls some of the very expensive covers Limelight Records put out in the mid 60s. Recommended. ~ Douglas Payne https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-latin-side-of-john-coltrane-conrad-herwig-astor-place-review-by-douglas-payne.php

Personnel: Conrad Herwig - trombone, musical director;  Brian Lynch - trumpet;  Alex Sippiagin - trumpet;  Mike Ponella - trumpet;  Ray Vega - trumpet;  Dave Valentin - concert flute, alto flute, bass flute;   Ronnie Cuber - baritone saxophone;  Gary Smulyan - baritone saxophone;   Danilo Pérez - piano; Eddie Palmieri - piano;  Edward Simon - piano;  Richie Beirach - piano;   John Benitez - bass;   Andy González - bass;  Adam Cruz - drums;  Jose Clausell - timbales, percussion;  Richie Flores - congas;   Milton Cardona - vocals, bata, congas, percussion;  John Coltrane - tribute to, composer

The Latin Side of John Coltrane

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Ray Vega - Squeeze, Squeeze

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:19
Size: 127,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:12)  1. Black Nile
(4:05)  2. Smile, You're In Beirut
(7:59)  3. Contemplation
(4:41)  4. Ne Quitez Pas
(5:40)  5. Squeeze, Squeeze
(6:04)  6. Both
(6:10)  7. Salazar
(4:46)  8. Sky!
(6:10)  9. Crescent Mood
(4:28) 10. La Tercera

Trumpeter Ray Vega is a triumphant example of a musician liberated rather than straightjacketed by his Latin jazz expertise. Years of playing in bands as notable as Tito Puente's and Mongo Santamaria's clearly have reaped rewards in terms of his bright, rhythmically punchy, powerhouse delivery. Vega's own description of his current style as "Latin Bop" accurately describes his second disc as a leader on Palmetto. The bow to bop is made perfectly clear by his covers of Wayne Shorter's "Black Nile" and McCoy Tyner's "Contemplation." In both instances the Latin accents and tone colors and I hear Dizzy Gillespie's influence on Vega are mingled by edgy, fluttery runs bringing a most un-Latin ancestor to mind, Lee Morgan. This isn't to say that Vega doesn't have his own distinctive sound, but he's unafraid to reveal influences both close and far from his Latin roots. Vega's band works well with his Latin bop focus, particularly percussionist Wilson "Chembo" Corneil and drummer Adam Weber. The title tune, one of four original compositions by Vega, is a tour de force of various Latin dance styles weaving in and out out of a funky bop theme. It evokes a street carnival atmosphere, a spontaneous joy, that permeates this highly playable and adventuresome session. ~ Norman Weinstein https://www.allaboutjazz.com/squeeze-squeeze-ray-vega-palmetto-records-review-by-norman-weinstein.php

Personnel: Ray Vega, Boddy Porcelli, Igor Atalita, Gregg August, Wilson "Chembo" Corneil, Adam Weber

Squeeze, Squeeze

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