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Michael Dease: Grace

By Larry Taylor
October 22, 2010
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This could be the break-out album for trombonist Michael Dease, his music and style putting him in the company of trombone legends including

Jack Teagarden

trombone
1905 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Jack Teagarden,

J.J. Johnson

trombone
1924 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">J.J. Johnson,.

Kai Winding

trombone
1922 - 1983

" data-original-title="" title="">Kai Winding and

Curtis Fuller

trombone
1934 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Curtis Fuller.

On Grace, Dease is anchored by a very able rhythm crew, including pianist

Cyrus Chestnut

piano
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Cyrus Chestnut, bassist

Rufus Reid

bass, acoustic
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">Rufus Reid, and drummer

Gene Jackson

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Gene Jackson. On all but one track, Dease is joined by a variety of stellar musicians, including trumpeters

Roy Hargrove

trumpet
1969 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Roy Hargrove and

Claudio Roditi

trumpet
1946 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Claudio Roditi, saxophonist

Eric Alexander

saxophone, tenor
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Alexander, and guitarist

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Whitfield. Selected songs include mostly lesser-known pieces by jazz greats, as well as one original. Dease handles all the arrangements.

Worth noting is the way the Dease's trombone blends with Hargrove and Roditi's flugelhorns ; the synthesis of sound is peerless, at times evoking the Jay and Kai Quintet trombone duo from the fifties. The best example in

Ivan Lins

piano and vocals
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Ivan Lins' mellow bossa, "Setembro." Dease begins and, after a few bars, Roditi falls in behind, creating a beautiful choral effect. Likewise, Dease's "Grace" provides another occasion to appreciate this blend, as well as giving both horn players showcase solos.

The quartet shines on John Coltrane's "26-2." Dease starts with a rapid-fire, triple-tongue riff, prodded by Chestnut's piano, who also solos commendably. On

McCoy Tyner

piano
1938 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">McCoy Tyner's "Blues on the Corner," Dease gets into a blues groove, aided and abetted by Alexander's funky tenor.

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis' "Four" stands out. Usually played at breakneck speed, Dease ingeniously tamps it down, turning a barn-burner into a smoldering ember. It's light, airy quality evokes Swing Era trombone master

Tommy Dorsey

trombone
1905 - 1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Tommy Dorsey, of "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" fame.

Dease, 28, came to New York after studying trombone and winning awards during his Georgia high school days. He received Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Juilliard, and gained experience playing with

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock,

Billy Harper

saxophone
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Harper and

Wynton Marsalis

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Marsalis.

His third release as a leader, following Clarity (2008 Bluesback Records) and Dease Bones (2007 Dclef Records), greater success is predicted after listening to Grace.

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Track Listing

Discussao; Blues On The Corner; In A Mist; I Talk To The Trees; Four; Tippin'; Setembro; 26-2; Toys; Love Dance; Grace; Salt Song.

Personnel

Michael Dease

trombone

Michael Dease: trombone, valve trombone; Roger Squitero, Circle Rhythm: vocals, percussion; Mark Whitfield: guitar, acoustic guitar; Yotam: acoustic guitar, electric guitar; Sharel Cassity: alto flute, alto saxophone; Eric Alexander: tenor saxophone; Roy Hargrove: trumpet, flugelhorn; Claudio Roditi: flugelhorn; Steve Davis: trombone; Cyrus Chestnut: piano; Gene Jackson: drums.

Album information

Title: Grace | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Jazz Legacy Productions

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