This is an outstanding example of modern trombone playing. Davis, on trombone and euphonium, and Bill Reichenbach, on bass trombone and euphonium, are accompanied by the powerful trio of Joey Calderazzo on piano, John Patitucci on bass and Will Kennedy on drums. “H, I, Jay and Kai,” the boppish opener, salutes a couple of famous T-bone predecessors. “Oklahoma Roots” recalls the warm, open-road Crusaders sound. “Sebone Shuffle” has a Blakey feel to the beat. The slyly titled “Trombone Institute of Technology” is an unaccompanied trombone duet.
Both trombonists are supple players, with Reichenbach perhaps more angular. The rhythm section and the arrangements keep them on their toes with a variety of ensemble accents and interplay. A great jazz album for trombonists-and everyone.
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