Gunhild Carling: Jazz Is My Lifestyle

Sometimes there is a tendency to take a performance less than seriously, especially if an artist uses a bit of self-satire as part of the act. Pianist Victor Borge had this problem—"comic virtuoso" he was called—and even trumpet player Jack Sheldon, to a degree, had to blow the roof off sometimes to remind the audience of what he could do. One senses that Gunhild Carling may get the less-than-serious treatment That is a pity, because she can play. And so can the band that backs her. Danny House (clarinet) and Jamie Hovorka (trumpet) are just two examples, never mind a guest appearance by trumpeter Scotty Barnhart. Not surprisingly, the music is good, although subtlety is not its strong point. Yes, the rhythm section can be a bit heavy-handed, but it is all in a good cause.

Carling 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.