CHARLIE PORTER
About the album
This self-titled debut album features ten varied, original compositions, as well as a little-known gem by Duke Ellington, only ever recorded once, in 1940, prior to this recording.
With nine ensembles comprised of twenty-one of Portland's best jazz musicians, this album showcases Charlie's writing and playing within a diverse spectrum of sound, from solo to sextet. It begins with a solo trumpet track, and then builds from a duo up to sextet and then back down from quintet to solo trumpet, for the last track. The palindromic form of the album and the different instrumentation of each track help to conceptually unify the pieces, yet send the listener on a journey of musical diversity.
Personnel:
John Nastos, David Evans (saxophones) John Moak (trombone) Majid Khaliq (violin) George Colligan, David Goldblatt, Dan Gaynor, Greg Goebel (piano) Christopher Woitach (guitar) Chuck Israels, Jon "sticky" Lakey, Tim Gilson, Tom Wakeling, Dylan Sundstrom, Bill Athens, Cary Mija (bass) Mel Brown, Christopher Brown, Alan Jones, Tim Rap, Michael Raynor (drums).
Listen on Spotify
What others are saying...
"Technical wizardry"
- DownBeat Magazine
"A testament to Porter's prodigious talent and imaginative creativity"
- All About Jazz
"It's different - very innovative and creative, great sound, fantastic technique, and control, great compositions! I think that it'll be very well received by music fans."
- Arturo Sandoval
"Simply a winner in all respects. It's virtuosic trumpet playing first of all, without sacrificing musicality, and the whole album is so well structured without losing the excitement of spontaneity at the same time. This is one I'll be listening to many times over. This CD gets right to the MUSIC from the first phrase of 'Prologue' to the last note of 'Epilogue' and every note in between!"
- Randy Brecker
"With his creative soul, stylistic prowess, and effortless technical skills, Charlie Porter is taking what can be played on the trumpet to new heights. He makes the impossible sound effortless and beautiful. Charlie and the great musicians on this album have set the bar at the highest level. 'Charlie Porter' will surely inspire the next generation of young trumpeters, and some of us older ones too. Bravo Charlie!"
- Wayne Bergeron
"An album as inventive as this, and as full to bursting with sparkling performances from Porter and some of Portland’s best, deserves such deep listening and return engagement"
- Robert Ham