Articles

Chad McCullough & Bram Weijters: Abstract Quantities

By Dan McClenaghan

Trumpeter Chad McCullough debuted as a leader in 2009 with the superb Dark Wood, Dark, Water (Origin Records). He's stayed busy ever since, recording with The Kora Band--inspired by the sounds of Africa--Tunnel Six, and the two horn, chordless The Spin Quartet, along with two previous modern jazz sets on Origin Records on which he teamed as a co-leader with Belgian pianist Bram Weijters, Imaginary Sketches (2011) and Urban Nightingale (2012). At hand now is the pair's third offering, Abstract ...

Chad McCullough & Bram Weijters: Urban Nightingale

By Dan McClenaghan

Chad McCullough, with one CD under his own name--the outstanding Dark Wood, Dark Water (Origin Records, 2009)--has also contributed his distinctive voice to recordings by the Kora Band and Tunnel Six, all under the Origin Records banners. But the Seattle-based trumpeter must have a European sensibility; his finest work to date has been in teaming, as co-leader, with artists from the other side of the Atlantic--Slavakian pianist Michal Vanoucek, on The Sky Cries (Origin Records, 2010), and Antwerp-based pianist Bram ...

Chad McCullough: Dark Wood, Dark Water

By Dan McClenaghan

Seattle-based trumpeter Chad McCullough has assembled a North-West all-star line-up for his debut release, Dark Wood, Dark Water, mixing it up with Origin Records regulars on an inspired, modern-leaning post-bop outing.On “Three Pillar," a silky three-horn harmony blows in like a brisk wind in the embrace of the top-tier rhythm team of bassist Jeff Johnson, pianist Bill Anschell and drummer John Bishop. McCullough and his frontline-mates--saxophonists Mark Taylor and Chicagoan Geof Bradfield--blend their sounds in Ellingtonian fashion until ...

Chad McCullough: Playing to the Gig

By John Barron

Seattle trumpeter Chad McCullough has been working hard to garner a reputation in his hometown and beyond as a versatile, creative musician. McCullough has performed with a wide range of artists, including Jay Thomas, Claudio Roditi, Marc Seales, Thomas Marriott, Ingrid Jensen and Bob Florence. He's toured extensively with the Glenn Miller Orchestra in the jazz trumpet chair, and also as the band's pianist.

Since earning a master's degree in music from the University of Washington in 2005, ...

Chad McCullough: Dark Wood, Dark Water

By John Barron

Seattle trumpeter/composer Chad McCullough makes his recording debut as a leader with Dark Wood, Dark Water, a diverse sextet outing featuring eight original compositions and a fresh take on the Lennon/McCartney classic “Blackbird." Along with the all-star rhythm section of pianist Bill Anschell, bassist Jeff Johnson and Drummer John Bishop, McCullough is joined by saxophonists Mark Taylor and Geof Bradfield.

McCullough proves a thoughtful improviser with technique to spare. His soloing on the opening “Three Pillars" and “Blackbird" builds from ...