Darren Johnston - Wild Awake (2023)

The tempos lift the melodies up on their shoulders and carry them along on the latest from Darren Johnston. Sometimes they bound happily down the middle of the road, and sometimes their rhythmic cadence is far more tenacious. The trumpeter works a straight-ahead sound, but effortlessly comes at the center from all kinds of angles—a personalized variation on the old-school inside-out approach. Johnston is joined by saxophonist Dayna Stephens, pianist Jacob Sacks, bassist Sean Conly, and drummer Ches Smith on a recording that will likely appeal to both old-school and modern fans alike.

Darren Johnston - trumpet, vocals (track 2)
Dayna Stephens - soprano, tenor, and bari sax
Jacob Sacks - piano
Sean Conly - upright bass
Ches Smith - drums

Tracklist:
1.01 - Darren Johnston - The Anchorite's Travel Guide (6:28)
1.02 - Darren Johnston - Joe Hill's Last and Final Will (5:50)
1.03 - Darren Johnston - War Poets (7:32)
1.04 - Darren Johnston - Wild Awake (6:58)
1.05 - Darren Johnston - Mood Board (8:01)
1.06 - Darren Johnston - Trash-Basket Flowers (8:02)
1.07 - Darren Johnston - John's Song (9:08)