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Gunhild Carling: Jazz Is My Lifestyle
ByCarling is one of those multi-instrument types that tends to intimidate lesser talents, and she sings and writes as well. All 11 tunes are originals, too. Whether she considers herself primarily a trombonist or trumpeter is probably irrelevant. Her native language is obviously not English either. Heard enough?
If there is any problem with the recording, it is that she sings too much and plays too little, which sometimes happens with singing instrumentalists. She is an OK singer, for sure, but on trumpet and trombone, she can work up a good head of steam if she gives herself the space. For instance, on "Mardi Gras Blues" she plays a couple of decent choruses. on trumpet, trombone and harmonica. Probably the best trumpet chorus comes on "You're the Music," which evokes a certain Louis Armstrong. A listener may get frustrated, waiting to see if an idea develops, only to have Carling decide to make another vocal entrance. "Winter's Day" is another nice vocal, but the trumpet chorus is certainly better, even if the Armstrong influence is perhaps too evident. And her trombone playing on "Chanson" may be kind of retro, but solid she certainly is.
Carling clearly has too much talent to be taken lightly, but musicians have to figure out how to make a living. If this is her choice of a formula, it is her business. But perhaps Carling sells herself a bit short with this shtick.
Track Listing
Jazz is my Lifestyle; Shaking the Bangkok; I Desire You; Your Smile Makes the Difference; Fire Alarm; Chanson; Mardi Gras; Blues; Cosmic Drive; Winter's Day; You Are The Music; I'll Wait For You In San Francisco.
Personnel
Gunhild Carling
tromboneScotty Barnhart
trumpetMichael Andrew
vocalsMark Visher
fluteDanny House
saxophone, altoDan Kaneyuki
saxophone, altoDan Bolsay
saxophone, tenorCaesar Martinez
saxophone, baritoneJonathan Bradley
trumpetMike Stever
trumpetRay Monteiro
trumpetJamie Hovorka
trumpetRyan Dragon
tromboneNick Daley
tromboneErm Navarro
tromboneJuliette Gralle
trombone, bassIdun Carling
tromboneNell Fontano
pianoJim Fox
guitarKen Wild
bassAdditional Instrumentation
Jamey Tate: drums; Viggo Carling Blomé: drums; Johan Blomé: banjo; Luke Kirley: Sousaphone; Roy Gerso: piano; The Prague Strings Chamber Orchestra; Nathan Tokunaga: clarinet; Chloe Feoranzo: clarinet.
Album information
Title: Jazz Is My Lifestyle | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Self Produced
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