Incandescence
Brass Tonic, 2025
8/10
The trumpeter and composer Sarah Wilson takes influence from visual art, brass bands and the delight of music for these 11 instrumental jazz songs that recruit plenty of help.
The radiant mood of “Architecture In Space” opens with Wilson’s bright brass alongside Tim Bulkley’s crisp drums and Kasey Knudsen’s rich alto sax, and the title track follows with playful trumpet amid John Schott’s fluid guitar playing via a festive mood.
Further along, Lisa Mezzacappa’s strategically plucked bass suits the calm spirit of “Epilogue”, while “Dancing With Cierra” benefits much from Jon Arkin’s agile drumming that aligns with charming wind and brass interaction.
Deeper yet, “Trifecta” showcases Mara Fox’s animated trombone playing in a layered album highlight, and “Echoes Refrain” exits with a busy and precise meshing of all the player’s inimitable talents for a dense finish.
An unpredictable and sometimes blurry vision, Wilson’s delivery is artistic and timeless, where she guides the sextet through exciting and original ideas.
Travels well with: Julian Shore Trio- Sub Rosa; Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio- Dream A Dream