vocal jazz Archive

David HARRIS, trombone – Blues I Felt – DLEE

by Audiophile Audition | Mar 27, 2017 | Jazz CD Reviews

David HARRIS – Blues I Felt – DLEE, 64:02, (3/17/17) ***: (David Harris; trombone and vocals/ Shea Pierre; piano/ Jason Weaver; bass/ Miles Labat; drums) An outstanding trombonist with a blues sensibility and vocal talent. The instrument that achieved the greatest liberation in the first era of 20th century jazz was the trombone. Up until the innovations of Dixieland, the trombone had been a model of sobriety, ponderously holding down the low register in band and orchestral music. Suddenly, through a convergence of musical traditions in and around New Orleans circa 1900-1920, the trombone found a new voice (aided considerably by the use of the plunger mute), becoming wildly celebratory, mischievous, and imbued with the vocal inflextions of the blues. While the trombone would find its place in modern jazz, it would never again enjoy such royal prestige. It is to this golden age of blues trombone jazz that David Harris takes us in his fine debut CD “Blues I Felt.” The boisterous growls of Miff Mole and the buttery glissandos of Kid Ory and Higginbotham are referenced throughout as Harris adapts the earlier style to a more conventional modern jazz quartet concept. Harris’ bandmates are talented young products of […]