ROUTES (vinyl)

Description

Inspired by the work of Don Drummond, trombonist Samuel Blaser has brought together a group of excellent musicians to produce the very best of the Jamaican repertoire. ROUTES is the result of their collaboration, rooted in the island’s musical traditions and firmly grounded in jazz. His new group includes Alex Wilson on keyboards, Ira Coleman on bass, Dion Parson on drums, Michael Blake on tenor saxophone and Soweto Kinch on alto saxophone and vocals as well, and one could simply say that Samuel Blaser has found the perfect lineup to present Jamaican jazz to a wide audience. However, Blaser would not be Blaser if he did not ask himself: Why stop there?! So the ambitious musician he is, winner of the European Jazz Award in 2019 and the Downbeat Magazine Critics Poll ('Rising Star Trombone'), decided to raise the bar even higher. ROUTES features a mix of Don Drummond classics, reggae, ska and jazz-inspired standards - with Carrol Thompson as guest, dubs by the great and late 'Scratch' Perry, and a full T-Bone section on the rearranged version of Drummond’s 'Green Island'. It is a project in which Blaser’s remarkable charisma, humor and musicianship shine through, while paying tribute to the contribution, talent and roots of his fellow musicians. ROUTES is an adventure, a celebration and a true celebration - where we are cordially invited. - - Don Drummond will forever remain the memory of a genius. Both as a trombonist and for his incredible 300 to 500 compositions. During his 35 years in Jamaica, he was extremely prolific but he never left the island to pursue a career in the UK or the United States, as many other musicians did. He suffered greatly in every sense of the word, unable to escape the weight of poverty. And yet he leaves the world a dazzling creativity that has inspired countless artists. With their new album ROUTES, Samuel Blaser and his ensemble of accomplished musicians pay tribute to the music of Don Drummond. As the legendary trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis wrote about Don, 'If he had had the opportunity to share his experience with musicians from different cultures as is common nowadays, his music could have reached even greater heights.' Thanks to Samuel Blaser’s projects and those of other artists, Don is still present and his art takes new forms. They receive the message of this great master, they transform his music through their own interpretations and experiences, and create something both new and familiar. ROUTES is a tribute to Don’s work both ethically and aesthetically. These are pieces that Don could not write. They interpret the past by adding today’s genres, technologies and talents, creating music that is both inspired and stimulating.