Ray Vega / Thomas Marriott: East-West Trumpet Summit (2010)

John Barron

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2007

This writer enjoys listening to past giants and anyone else who doesn't try to sound like them.

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Published: May 24, 2010

Ray Vega / Thomas Marriott: East-West Trumpet Summit

East-West Trumpet Summit is a rollicking showcase for longtime friends Ray Vega and Thomas Marriott Thomas Marriott
b.1975
trumpet . Vega, a New York native and the elder of the two, has served for many years as a mentor to Seattle's Marriott. The two first met when Marriott was a student at the University of Washington in Seattle, and Vega was in town touring with the late Tito Puente Tito Puente
1923 - 2000
band/orchestra . Friends ever since, the two trumpeters share an affinity for hard-blowing, grounded-in-bebop jazz. New York pianist Travis Shook Travis Shook
b.1969
piano and the Seattle rhythm team of bassist Jeff Johnson Jeff Johnson
b.1954
bass and drummer Matt Jorgensen Matt Jorgensen
b.1972
drums round out this exceptional set of standards and original compositions.

A whirling rendition of "It's You or No One," featuring solo turns by the entire cast, gets the disc off to a feverish start. A faithful-to-the-original take on Horace Silver Horace Silver
b.1928
piano 's medium bouncer "Juicy Lucy" swings along nicely, with Vega paying homage to the spirit of Blue Mitchell Blue Mitchell
b.1930
trumpet . Two Marriott originals follow: the rocket-propelled "Pelham Gardens," delivering an inspired back and forth between the two leaders; and "Bishop Island," a free-flowing waltz with a matter-of-fact melody and lyrical turn by Johnson.

Vega contributes as a composer as well, with two strong pieces. The pensive "Only of a Season" and the energetic modal workout "It's a New York Thing" are both disc highlights, the latter a vehicle for frenetic displays from Shook and Jorgensen. Following a straightforward ballad medley of "Round Midnight" and "In a Sentimental Mood," featuring Vega and Marriott respectively, the disc winds down with "Big Brother," Marriott's Latin-tinged tribute to Vega.

With evident camaraderie, East-West Trumpet Summit is a joyful celebration of friendship and music from two heavyweights of jazz trumpet.

Track Listing: It's You or No One; Juicy Lucy; Pelham Gardens; Bishop Island; Only of a Season; It's a New York Thing; Round Midnight/In a Sentimental Mood; Big Brother.

Personnel: Ray Vega: trumpet; Thomas Marriott: trumpet; Travis Shook: piano; Jeff Johnson: bass; Matt Jorgensen: drums.

Record Label: Origin Records
Style: Modern Jazz