Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Tim Coffman: Crossroads

Tim Coffman: Crossroads

By George Harris
March 29, 2006
View read count

Tim Coffman's sophomore release provides a fine exhibition of how lyrical and soothing a trombone can actually be. Basing his music firmly in the hard bop of the early '60s Jazz Messengers, Coffman and his sextet crisply glide and breeze through a set of hard-driving jazz compositions.

On Wayne Shorter's "Yes or No," and Coffman's title piece, the leader and trumpeter Scott Wendholdt seamlessly weave articulate and facile solos that are thought-provoking, intricate and inviting. Wendholdt's gentle and warm playing grabs the spotlight on Tom Harrell's lovely "Sail Away" and almost runs away with the show on the bluesy, moaning "Step Lightly." Saxophonist Mark Colby adds fine harmony and gives a creatively restrained solo on the intricate "Crossroads."

Throughout the sextet pieces, drummer Bob Rummage is a sharp, precise driving force. But Coffman's brass shines the most on the smaller group pieces. Spotlighted on the quartet sessions, his trombone glistens and warmly caresses "My Old Flame" and J.J. Johnson's "Lament." Lilting on Horace Silver's "Summer in Central Park," the leader makes his instrument romantic and soothing.

With Crossroads, Tim Coffman makes a clear statement: remove your preconceived notions of the trombone. This is an instrument of seduction. Check out this new voice.

Track Listing

Yes or No; Sail Away; Step Lightly; Crossroads; My Old Flame; Summer in Central Park; Sky Dive; Lament; Caravan; Alone Together.

Personnel

Tim Coffman

trombone

Tim Coffman: trombone; Scott Wendholdt: trumpet; Mark Colby: tenor, soprano saxophone; Mike Kocour: piano; Kelly Sill: bass; Bob Rummage: drums.

Album information

Title: Crossroads | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Blujazz Productions

PREVIOUS / NEXT

The London Concert
< Previous

Musical Echoes
Next >

Support All About Jazz

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.