Mountain Ascent
Albany, 2023
8/10
The assembly of professional trombonists from North and South Carolina, the Carolina Trombone Project bring us new works commissioned through a nationwide consortium, and it includes the players Jeremy Marks, Scott P. Hartman, Zsolt Szabo, Tom Burge, Eric Henson, Mark Whitfield, Joseph Brown, and Justin Isenhour.
Andrew Markel’s “Acts Of Dreams” opens with 5 tenor trombones interacting with Henson’s bass trombone for the elegant yet firm song craft that builds into a tense and dynamic landscape, and “Resurgence”, by Christopher Evan Hass, follows with much sublime intimacy that becomes richly textured thanks to precise tenor manipulation.
Halfway through, Gina Gillie’s “Mountain Ascent” recruits a cinematic quality that’s full of atmosphere and showcases Hartman’s bass prowess, while “4 Motion Studies For 5 Trombones”, by Gary Kulesha, recruits both cautiousness and exploration to the sometimes bare climate.
“Tsunami”, the best track, exits the listen with a lively spirit that balances 8 trombonists with beauty, warmth and adventurousness.
A highly technical, versatile and precisely executed body of work, those with an ear for all things brass will be quite pleased with the tenor and bass trombone skills presented here.
Travels well with: Larry Bell- Thoughts And Prayers; Allen Shawn- Fantasia & Other Pieces