Jazz Articles about Wayne Wallace

Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet: Infinity

by Jeff Dayton-Johnson
January 2, 2009

With The Nature of the Beat (Patois, 2008), trombone virtuoso Wayne Wallace established himself as the musician you'd most like to have living in the downstairs apartment. If you had to have musicians downstairs, that is. The reasons Wallace and his extraordinary band mates would be welcome are essentially twofold. First, their repertoire is flawlessly funky and erudite, based on excellent rhythm and blues and Afro-Cuban elements. Second, they are all extraordinary jazz players, starting with Wallace himself, ...

Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet: Infinity

by Edward Blanco
December 9, 2008

Distinguished trombonist and composer Wayne Wallace presents another sparkling album of Latin jazz music hot on the heels of his previous critically acclaimed release The Nature of the Beat (Patois Records, 2008) with Infinity, his fourth production for the Patois label and his second of 2008. Known as “The Doctor" for his production skills, Wallace produces another exciting album of Afro-Cuban Latin jazz music, which now has become his specialty and trademark. For this offering, Wallace brings together four original ...

Wayne Wallace: The Nature of the Beat

by Jeff Dayton-Johnson
August 31, 2008

Among the highlights of Kat Parra's fine recent Azúcar de Amor (Patois, 2008) is the trombone and arrangements of Wayne Wallace. It is therefore gratifying to have this new record led by the San Franciscan. But while Parra's record comes across as a superbly executed homage to Latin music, Wallace's sounds like an idiosyncratically funky variant of the thing itself. Wallace's repertoire on The Nature of the Beat stakes out some unconventional territory and considerable breadth, but ...

Wayne Wallace: Dedication

by Jack Bowers
May 18, 2007

Fascinatin' rhythms are the common denominator on composer/trombonist Wayne Wallace's second album, Dedication, which alludes to the word's definition as “single-minded, tenacious or devoted. In other words, it is a salute to the countless hours of hard work and practice that enable musicians to express themselves and convey the language of jazz.

To underscore his purpose and fend off boredom on the part of the listener, Wallace employs groups of various shapes and sizes, from quartet to mini-big band, and ...

Wayne Wallace: The Reckless Search for Beauty

by Dan McClenaghan
January 20, 2007

San Francisco-based trombonist Wayne Wallace's first professional musician jobs were in a Top Forty group and a James Brown cover band. From there, he attended San Francisco State University, graduating with a degree in Performance. Then he traveled to Havana, Cuba to study Afro-Cuban music at the National School of Arts. His search seems more steeped in dedication than recklessness, though he's titled this release The Reckless Search for Beauty.Wallace brings his wide-ranging experience to a vibrant set ...