Tom Brantley - Boneyard (2009)

Tracklist

01. Exemption
02. In A Mellotone (Live)
03. Adagio (Live)
04. Boneyard
05. Stardust
06. Hi Fly (Live)
07. LazyBone (Live)
08. Body and Soul (Live)
09. Confirmation (Live)
10. Venice At One

With his debut recording as a leader, trombonist and jazz educator Tom Brantley offers a versatile release, including both established and new compositions and live and studio performances, as well as a variety of different bands. The opening track, "Exemption," is a top-drawer feature for multiple trombones, with Brantley and composer Jerald Shynett as the trombone soloists, accompanied by the trombone section on loan from Chuck Owen & the Jazz Surge in a superb post-bop chart. Brantley has the chops to pull off a marvelous duet of "Stardust" with guitarist LaRue Nickelson. Tenor saxophonist/composer Jack Wilkins (not to be confused with the veteran jazz guitarist) penned the lively "Boneyard," which melds Afro-Cuban and New Orleans funk. From a 2008 concert come several small-group tracks, including a funky quartet setting of "In a Mellotone" with organ, guitar, and drums, plus a subtle adaptation of French composer Camille Saint-Saëns' Adagio. From the same show, trombonist Keith Oshiro is added with piano and bass (in place of the organ) for a breezy arrangement of Randy Weston's popular "Hi-Fly," along with a sauntering New Orleans second-line scoring of Charlie Parker's normally brisk "Confirmation." Highly recommended.

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