Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Ambrose Akinmusire: Prelude: to Cora

Ambrose Akinmusire: Prelude: to Cora

By John Barron
October 24, 2008
View read count

On Prelude: to Cora, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire offers a wide-open musical perspective, inviting a wealth of influences to shape a personalized approach to improvisation and composition. Akinmusire seems content with allowing the music to fall where it may; eschewing trends and any pre-conceived notions about what is expected from a debut recording.

The Oakland, California-native generously shares the spotlight with his ensemble of like-minded collaborators. Pianist Aaron Parks, vibraphonist Chris Dingman, tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III, bassist Joe Sanders and drummer Justin Brown each bring a voice of distinction, leading the way for much of the session. Brown's beat-box-meets-Tony Williams fury on the opening "Dreams of the Manbahsniese" is a fascinating contrast to Akinmusire's flowing theme. Dingman is downright hypnotic on "Vibe Solo Intro" and "Aroca." Parks demonstrates imaginative solos and contributes the pop-influenced tune "Ghost Ship."

Although Akinmusire's trumpet playing is not the primary focus here, there is plenty of space allotted for the leader's acrobatic blowing. The spontaneity and forcefulness on "HumSong (Skidrow Anthem)" balances nicely with the more melancholic "Trumpet Intro/Dedication to Ruby." The young trumpeter's straight-ahead chops are showcased on Benny Golson's "Stablemates," performed as a duet with Parks.

Prelude: to Cora is so full of unbound creativity, it will be interesting to see what this emerging artist has in store for the jazz world.

Track Listing

Dreams of the Manbahsniese; Vibe Solo Intro; Aroca; HumSong (SkidRow Anthem); M.I.S.T.A.G. (My Inappropriate Soundtrack to a Genocide); Trumpet Intro/Dedication to Ruby; Ruby; Ghost Ship; Dingmandingo; Stablemates.

Personnel

Ambrose Akinmusire

trumpet

Ambrose Akinmusire: trumpet; Aaron Parks: piano; Chris Dingman: vibes; Walter Smith III: tenor saxophone; Joe Sanders: bass; Justin Brown: drums; Logan Richardson: alto saxophone (5, 9); Junko Watanabe: vocals (1, 5, 7).

Album information

Title: Prelude: to Cora | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Fresh Sound New Talent

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Diamond In The Riff
< Previous

McBride, Payton and Whitfield at The...
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.