Search - Tom Garling :: Maynard Ferguson Presents Tom Garling

Fabulous debut of a rising jazz star

Dr. Christopher Coleman | HONG KONG | 01/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tom Garling is a fine young trombonist and composer with chops and technique to spare. On an instrument which in jazz is rather more difficult than average to excel at (compare the number of great jazz trombonists to great jazz trumpters, or pianists, and you'll see what I mean), Garling does a great job. His sound is reminiscent of Urbie Green--in fact the final cut, "Here's That Rainy Day", in an arrangement for 7 trombones (6 of them Garling himself, multitracked) without rhythm secion, could almost be taken directly from Green's album 21 Trombones. Garling has a rougher, more characteristic tone than Bill Watrous, but almost the same technical facility. And like Watrous, be-bop and swing seem to be his true love, but there is a wide range of styles on this album. Although Garling wrote most of the tunes himself, one of the most notable is his up-tempo interpretation of Tommy Dorsey's signature tune I'm Getting Sentimental Over You. It's totally convincing, and although as a trombonist myself I of course love Dorsey's original, Garling's version is a terrifically worthwhile updating. His solos on this arrangement are particularly fine--they are not only technically note-perfect, but also are audibly related to the melody in a way that makes them especially good. So many jazz soloists simply take the ride as an opportunity to play anything at all that it is very refreshing to hear Garling solo ON the tune, not in spite of the tune.At the core of Garling's band are a trio of trumpet (Ron Stout), sax (Jerry Pinter), and trombone (Garling himself), supported by a fine rhythm section. Christian Jacob's piano is superb (in fact, he has his own "Maynard Ferguson presents" CD), and Tony Pia's drums are very very tastefully done. Even bassist Trey Henry is given plenty of room to shine. Maynard Ferguson does not perform on the album at all, but serves as producer and mentor. (Garling is a Ferguson band alumni.) But Ferguson isn't missed as a performer--Ron Stout does a fine job (but without the atmosphere-shattering shrieks) and his tone is particularly well matched with Garling's. At places they trade off, and it is sometimes difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins. I'd also like to note Garling's tune Bill Evans, which is fascinating in the way that the rhythm section, led by Pia, plays quite fast, but the trio play a melody comprised of long notes, giving the impression of two simultaneous tempi. The only real sour note on the CD for me is toward the end of Ilene's Dance, in which a drum solo is played over a most annoying piano ostinato. This is a very minor miscue, however; and as a whole this CD is well worth owning. I recommend it very highly."

An amazing glimps at one of jazz's best trombonists

Dr. Christopher Coleman | 04/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tom Garling has a definite style in this CD. This CD offers a great perspective of Tom Garling's playing abilities and also shows off the talents of the other band members. This is a great CD, especially if you like other trombone players, like Bill Waltrous. This CD will provide hours of entertainment."