Nick Finzer

Dreams, Visions, Illusions

Outside In, 2023

8/10

Listen to Dreams, Visions, Illusions

The trombone extraordinaire Nick Finzer is surrounded by some esteemed talent for these 10 creative jazz tunes that never sit in one place for very long.

“To Dream A Bigger Dream” starts the listen with Jimmy MacBride’s frisky drumming and Glenn Zaleski’s warm keys complementing the adventurous brass, and “Aspirations And Convictions” follows with a heartfelt and poetic demeanor that unfolds with much beauty thanks to Finzer’s eloquent trombone.

“I Thought I Should Take The Road Less Traveled” arrives in the middle and benefits much from Lucas Pino’s expressive sax, while “But I Did What They Said” showcases the warm rhythm section alongside the stirring horn.

“Waking Up” and “Now, Then And When” exit the listen, where the former is populated by Dave Baron’s animated bass plucking and Pino’s strategic bass clarinet, and the latter is a richly textured finish of melodic jazz that emits fluid guitar work courtesy of Alex Wintz.

Finzer is also a record label owner, and he approaches his own music with a meticulous and emotive presence that makes for a colorful and timeless listen from his long running sextet.

Travels well with: Roxy Coss- Disparate Parts; The Adam Larson Trio- With Love, From Chicago