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Brian Scanlon: Brain Scan

By Nicholas F. Mondello
March 14, 2020
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Woodwind artist

Brian Scanlon

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Brian Scanlon has established himself as one of the most respected of the go-to players working the L.A. studio scene. His offerings in the Grammy?-winning

Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1999

" data-original-title="" title="">Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band have lent plenty to that unit's success.

In the intriguingly named Brain Scan, Scanlon moves out into the leader's spotlight with a superb nine-cut effort featuring some superlative solo and killer small ensemble work. Eight of the diversely-grooved cuts are Scanlon originals, many of which are contemporized melodic platforms for his and others' improvisational extensions.

The title cut, "Brain Scan," kicks off things with a fiery-riffed theme displaying keen virtuosity and a palpable freedom of extended expression. The alto-guitar doubled portion is a slick orchestration bit and features Scanlon's son, Avery on guitar. "El Entrometido" has a

Vince Guaraldi

piano
1928 - 1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Vince Guaraldi/Charlie Brown flair on which Scanlon's tenor kicks tail more than Lucy's footballs. Pianist Tom Rainier and drummer

Peter Erskine

drums
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Erskine buy in with superb solos. More contemporized grooves and tempos are explored on the textured "Not Watching" and introspectively darker "Mark's Time." The iconic saxophone feature,

Earle H. Hagen

composer / conductor
1919 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Earle H. Hagen's "Harlem Nocturne," has Scanlon burning white-hot and the ensemble driving. "My Right Foot" is another darker textured Scanlon original that features a tasty

Ed Czach

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Ed Czach piano solo and bassist

Trey Henry

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Trey Henry driving.

Scanlon's improvisational approach is one of extended creative ideas, each playing off of a fertile gold nugget. His sound is rounded on both axes and that plays well into the Moebius ribbons he strews—for example, on the straight-ahead contrafact "I Hear a Rhapsody." A lyrically-focused player, Scanlon keeps ideas flowing at a tsunami's rate, latching on to our ear where we await the next creative splash.

The rhythm section is also top-notch with pianists Tom Ranier and Ed Czach, guitarists

Larry Koonse

guitar, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Koonse and Avery Scanlon, "Phat Boy," Andy Synowiec, bassist Trey Henry, percussionist

Joey De Leon

congas

" data-original-title="" title="">Joey De Leon and drummer

Peter Erskine

drums
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Erskine.

Brain Scan may be word-play with Brian Scanlon's moniker. However, this recording displays an emanation from his and his team's collective cabezsas that is 100% "Scantastic."

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Brain Scan; El Entrometido; Re-Entry; Not Watching (for Nancy); I Hear Something; Harlem Nocturne; Mark's Time; My Right Foot; Scandalized.

Personnel

Brian Scanlon

trumpet

Tom Ranier

piano

Ed Czach

piano

Trey Henry

bass

Peter Erskine

drums

Andrew Synowiec

guitar

Larry Koonse

guitar, electric

Avery Scanlon

guitar

Jeoy De Leon

percussion

Album information

Title: Brain Scan | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Scan Man Music

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