Search - Bill Cantrall :: Axiom

Personnel: Ryan Kisor: trumpet, Sherman Irby: alto sax, Stacy Dillard: tenor sax, Bill Cantrall: trombone, Rick Germanson: piano, Gerald Cannon: bass, Montez Coleman: drums Produced by: Bill Cantrall, Recording Engineer: Andrew Williams, Recorded Live to Two-Track at Sear Sound, New York, NY Jan. 3-4, 2007, Mastering Engineer: A.T. Michael McDonald at AlgoRhythms, Artwork: Natlaie Giugni, Design/Layout: Patrick McDermott, Liner Notes: Willard Jenkins, Label: Upswing Records UR-01 Axiom | from Liner notes by Willard Jenkins | For his debut release trombonist Bill Cantrall delivers a program heavily steeped in one of jazz music s enduring legacies, yet fresh enough to stand up to today s contemporary standards. Axiom delivers the goods in the classic tradition of Art Blakey s Jazz Messengers, with hints of the Jazztet as well. But that s not to say this is some tired evocation of a bygone era, far from it. What the intrepid listener will find is that post-bop sensibility, but it s served up with a freshness that clearly makes it entirely current in its spirited outlook... ...As a trombonist Bill Cantrall is one of the grandsons of J.J. Johnson. One listen to his beautiful work on the ballad Shanice or the rapid-fire slide of Torrent is enough to convince you that he s learned his lessons well. I had been thinking about doing a septet recording for some time and I was really lucky to be able to assemble this band. These guys all brought their unique sounds, styles and abilities. And this crew is so adept that we didn t do more than two takes, Cantrall explained, on any one track. Pianist Rick Germanson, a native of Milwaukee as is bassist Gerald Cannon, became a Cantrall cohort in Chicago and the leader was determined that the pianist would be part of the essential foundation of this date. Besides being a soloist who always has great ideas, Rick really knows how to comp behind a soloist, he really knows how to enhance a solo. Germanson s homeboy Cannon piqued Cantrall s interests during the bassist s long stint with the Roy Hargrove band, as later on did alto saxman Sherman Irby and drummer Montez Coleman. Gerald has an incredible beat, lightening quick ears, and he can lead the rhythm section into some different, exciting stuff. Sherman is a master of phrasing and can really inject some serious energy into a song. Coleman stokes a similar level of fire, so you get the idea that this is most assuredly not a somnambulant date by any stretch. Tenor man Stacy Dillard is blessed with a gorgeous, full sound on his instrument, which Cantrall immediately fell in love with and determined to add to this mix. Trumpeter Ryan Kisor steps out from the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra trumpet section to once again prove his mettle as a distinctive soloist and one of the most unique voices on trumpet out there, declares Cantrall... ...The evergreen [Tangerine] caps off a date that proves the democratic nature of Bill Cantrall, who throughout skillfully parses out the solos on a record where economy is paramount, no one over-solos, and there is ample storytelling on this fine debut. Undoubtedly this record is also destined to be favored by real jazz radio. Willard Jenkins is a contributor to Down Beat; JazzTimes; and Jazzwise magazines and WWOZ radio in New Orleans.