Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Michael Hackett: Circles

212

Michael Hackett: Circles

Michael Hackett: Circles
This is a first album for trumpeter Michael Hackett, who brings big band experience from such organizations as the Toshiko Akioshi Jazz Orchestra, the Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and, currently, the Buselli/Wallrab Jazz Orchestra in Indianapolis. Hackett does indeed have a beautiful tone suggesting the clarion and lyrical tone of prime-time Freddie Hubbard. He has assembled a three-horn front line for his sextet, which includes veteran trombonist Vincent Gardner and former McCoy Tyner drummer Aaron Scott, plus Todd Bashore on alto and soprano sax. In addition, pianist Mike Holober has recorded two well-received albums over the past two years with Phil Palombi on bass.

Five of the eight compositions are originals and with one exception, the two standards (Bronislau Kaper's "Invitation" and the Livingston/Evans ballad "Never Let Me Go") are the best moments on the album. Michael Hackett's title tune, which comes close to a fourteen-minute presentation, is also memorable, beginning with a multi-horn unison reading that sounds like vintage Blue Note from the early 1960's (more specifically from Jackie McLean's Destination Out period) with lots of time for individual solos. It also stands out as a well arranged piece that holds attention for the long ride.

There's nothing wrong with the other tunes but, by the same token, there's nothing memorable either. One can well assume that Hackett's recording future will progress nicely and that we can look forward to his future ventures.

Track Listing

My Good Friend, Blues to John, Heidi's Song, Invitation, Even As We Speak, Circles, Unrequited, Never Let Me Go

Personnel

Michael Hackett--trumpet and flugelhorn; Todd Bashore--alto and soprano saxes; Vincent Gardner--trombone; Mike Holober--piano; Phil Palombi--bass; Aaron Scott--drums

Album information

Title: Circles | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Summit Records

Tags

Comments


PREVIOUS / NEXT




Support All About Jazz

Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Eternal Moments
Yoko Yates
From "The Hellhole"
Marshall Crenshaw
Tramonto
John Taylor

Popular

Old Home/New Home
The Brian Martin Big Band
My Ideal
Sam Dillon
Ecliptic
Shifa شفاء - Rachel Musson, Pat Thomas, Mark Sanders
Lado B Brazilian Project 2
Catina DeLuna & Otmaro Ruíz

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.

Install All About Jazz

iOS Instructions:

To install this app, follow these steps:

All About Jazz would like to send you notifications

Notifications include timely alerts to content of interest, such as articles, reviews, new features, and more. These can be configured in Settings.