January/February 2009

Marshall Gilkes
Lost Words
Alternate Side

By Bill Milkowski

Juilliard-trained trombonist Marshall Gilkes flaunts impeccable technique on the unaccompanied, strictly composed “Crossover Intro” to kick off this compelling, harmonically intriguing and ferociously swinging set afueled by the vibrant rhythm tandem of drummer Clarence Penn and bassist Yasushi Nakamura. Pianist Jon Cowherd and trumpeter Michael Rodriguez are prominently featured on Gilkes’ imaginative, winning compositions like the rhapsodic title track, the heartfelt ballad “What’s Next” and the clever “Titeuf,” which segues from fugue to straight-eighth swinger.