Fred Forney: Chasing Horizons (2009)

John Barron

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2007

This writer enjoys listening to past giants and anyone else who doesn't try to sound like them.

Recent articles (188 total)

Published: June 10, 2009

Phoenix, Arizona-based trumpeter/composer Fred Forney has performed with a host of jazz heavies, including Bob Mintzer Bob Mintzer
b.1953
saxophone , Don Menza Don Menza
b.1936
saxophone , and Roger Kellaway Roger Kellaway
b.1939
piano , and has toured internationally with the Bobby Caldwell Bobby Caldwell
Big Band. Chasing Horizons is Forney's second release as a leader and debut for OA2 records. The disc is a high energy progressive jazz session featuring tenor saxophonist Brice Winston and pianist Chuck Marohnic.

Forney displays a matter-of-fact brassy tone, full of vigor. His solo ideas are confident and adventurous with Freddie Hubbard Freddie Hubbard
1938 - 2008
trumpet -like brashness. The opening barn burner "Nearly Human" and the straight-eighth Latin-funk title track are suitable vehicles for Forney's muscular approach. The brisk jazz waltz "Astoria" showcases Forney's staggering technique with fiery runs that seem to go on forever. The trumpeter shows a somewhat softer, introspective side on "Meditation No. 1" and "The Mystic." The latter has a strangely alluring charm with melodic muted trumpet and tenor saxophone stating the theme against dissonant harmony. Forney plays one of the disc's more inspired solos on "Fireflys," a post-bop/bossa groove with hints of soul.

Winston and Marohnic are wonderful interpreters of Forney's music, each soloing with a free-wheeling mentality. Winston has a meaty tenor sound with hints of Wayne Shorter Wayne Shorter
b.1933
saxophone , Joe Henderson Joe Henderson
1937 - 2001
sax, tenor , and Michael Brecker Michael Brecker
1949 - 2007
sax, tenor . The saxophonist shouts and moans on "The Simplest Things," stretching his ideas into declamatory statements. Marohnic's angular, hard swinging piano solo on "Astoria" and haunting solo intro on "The Mystic" are stand-out moments of the recording.

Bassist Dwight Kilian digs in hard throughout, rattling his strings with intense determination. Drummer Dom Moio sits decisively on top of the beat with cymbal work reminiscent of drum legend Tony Williams Tony Williams
1945 - 1997
drums . The rhythm-mates are especially engaging on the hard-driving swingers "Nearly Human" and "The Simplest Things."

Chasing Horizons is a dazzling representation of a modern jazz quintet sound. The group concept Forney produces is contemplative of the past with a forward-thinking aesthetic.

Track Listing: Nearly Human; Astoria; Chasing Horizons; Meditation No. 1; Fireflys; The Mystic; The Simplest Things.

Personnel: Fred Forney: trumpet, flugelhorn; Brice Winston: tenor saxophone; Chuck Marohnic: piano; Dwight Kilian; Dom Moio: drums.

Record Label: OA2 Records
Style: Modern Jazz