By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Urban Folklore
Origin Records and
trumpeter Thomas Marriott are among this blog’s “old friends”; both were featured
in some of my earliest reviews. If
you scan through the site's listing you'll find 7 CDs where they're featured
together. Origin was among the first of the “new breed” jazz labels founded in
the very late 20th century, and Marriott was — and still is — a frequent leader
or sideman on the company’s albums.
Marriott is a West
Coast artist, having begun in the musically diverse Seattle area. After winning a prestigious jazz
trumpet competition in 1999, he relocated to New York City and then toured the
world as a member of Maynard Ferguson’s Big Bop Nouveau Band. Marriott has
played with scores of great and near-great artists. He’s a master of his
instrument; his tone can be brilliant or lush, depending on what the music requires,
and he can swing superbly.
Marriott is
supported here by pianist Oren Evans, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Donald
Edwards. Marriott wrote and arranged all the tunes, and his melodies are
oriented by theme. “Living on the Minimum,” as one example, relates to times in
life when one may have money problems, and must make every penny count; “What
Emptiness Can Do” reflects on the loss of a loved one. Alternatively, when
everything is going great, your thoughts may turn toward a good friend: “Mo-Joe”
is dedicated to Joe Locke, one of Marriott’s favorite artists.
This album is ideal
for listeners in the mood for some truly “adult” jazz.
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