Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Brian Allen: Solo Trombone

174

Brian Allen: Solo Trombone

By

Sign in to view read count
Brian Allen: Solo Trombone
Brian Allen is from Lake Jackson, Texas where part of this solo trombone album was recorded. He studied with some of the masters of avant-garde /free jazz such as Roswell Rudd and Ellery Eskelin. To state the obvious, solo trombone albums are not everyday occurrences and it takes a good deal of self-assurance to but one out on a CD. The leading practitioner is German avant-garde trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff with his CDs, Tromboneliness and Solo. These efforts, among others, encouraged Allen to move ahead with this project.

The play list has all Allen compositions. Many styles and tempi are represented. "Planes" is a plaintive ballad. There's humor in "Loco March" where Allen tests the range of the slide instrument, from very high to way down at the bottom. Several of the cuts swing mightily and Allen can certainly swing. Allen's trombone wails sometimes resemble whale callings that were incorporated into "And God Created White Whales" by American classical composer Alan Hovhaness.

Fifty minutes of solo trombone is a lot to take for most. I guess one has to have a special empathy for the instrument to fully appreciate what Allen is doing. There are all sorts of noises coming from his instrument that I have never heard, such as gurgling sounds to something akin to blowing one's nose. But no question, this man is a virtuoso. What he now needs to do is to cut an album that will attract a larger group than students of the trombone. This album may be obtained by an email Allen at bka4@juno. com or through his Internet site at http://homestead.juno.com/bka4/brian.html.

Personnel

Album information

Title: Solo Trombone | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Braintone Records

Comments

Tags

Concerts


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Fiesta at Caroga
Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective
Fellowship
David Gibson
Immense Blue
Olie Brice / Rachel Musson / Mark Sanders

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.