As a featured sideman with Wynton Marsalis, trombonist Wycliffe “Pinecone” Gordon amassed a fine international reputation, based on his effusively swinging style and unmatched modern mastery of the plunger mute. Now, Gordon has arrived as a skillful and confident leader in his own right.
His most recent recording, The Search (Nagel-Heyer), showcases his considerable arranging skills using various small-band instrumentations. Taking part are saxophonists Victor Goines, Walter Blanding Jr. and Ted Nash; trombonists Ron Westray-with whom Gordon recorded 1995’s excellent Bone Structure (Atlantic)-Delfeayo Marsalis, Jen Krupa, Dave Gibson and Roger Floreska; and trumpeter Marcus Printup. The rhythm section consists of pianist Eric Reed, bassist Rodney Whitaker and either Herlin Riley or Winard Harper on drums.
