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Michael Dease: Dease Bones

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Michael Dease: Dease Bones
Trombones galore are what you'll find in Dease Bones. Young musician/educator Michael Dease ardently crafted and assembled some friends and fellow 'bone players for this recording of camaraderie, immaculate sounds and swinging tempos forged in the vein of greats such as Slide Hampton and J.J. Johnson. But Dease's new framework is built upon not only the instrument's history but also its present resurgence as noted in recent efforts by seminal players: Rick Parker's New York Gravity (Fresh Sound New Talent, 2004), Alan Ferber's Scenes From An Exit Row (Fresh Sound New Talent, 2005) and Josh Roseman's New Constellations: Live in Vienna (Accurate Records, 2007). The illustrious odd-shaped instrument is audibly in good hands.

The one thing that's differentiates Dease Bones from its peers is the classic mainstream sound. Having gigged from pop (Paul Simon, Alicia Keys) to bop (Wynton Marsalis, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra), Dease could easily choose a path other than straight-ahead. Yet although the influence is absent of electronics and/or a contemporary leaning; this recording is evidence that the vitality of the music is what really counts.

From the very first notes of "Personal Traner, with its mellifluous chorus of seven 'bones, additional instruments and hot rhythm section; the music rings true. The timbre of the trombones can span from sweet purrs to ferocious growls and these players exploit every facet on J.J. Johnson's smooth "Wee Dot, slower tunes such as "Lullaby for Rita, and a version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas that's memorable in or out of the holiday season.

The music radiates on all fronts—solos, arranging, and special guest performances from veterans (Wycliffe Gordon) and newcomers (Marshall Gilkes) on the Slide Hampton tune "Slides Blues with everyone adding their spice. Who says this music is outdated and is best left in the past? The truth be told, the essence of swing is always in style and Dease Bones confirms that fact.

Track Listing

Personal Traner; Lullaby for Rita; Wee Dot; Lament; New Blues; Sentimental Young Fool; Believe; Agrodolce; Let's Do This; It's All Right With Me; Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas; Slide's Blues.

Personnel

Michael Dease
trombone

Michael Dease: trombone; James Burton: trombone; Robert Edwards: trombone; Marshall Gilkes: trombone; Nicholas Hagen: trombone; Ryan Keberle: trombone; Marques Young; Kris Bowers: piano; Nial Djuuliarso: piano; Matt Heredia: bass; Ryland Kelly: bass; Ben Meigners: bass; Marion Felder: drums; Mark Whitfield: drums. Special Guests: Joseph Alessi: trombone; Tom Barber: flugelhorn; Vincent Gardner: trombone; David Gibson: trombone; Wycliff Gordon: trombone; Brandon Lee: trumpet.

Album information

Title: Dease Bones | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: Astrix Media

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