Clarity

Album Review

Though still in his early twenties at the time of this 2007 recording session, trombonist Michael Dease had already attracted a buzz by winning several jazz competitions and impressing veterans on his instrument like NEA Jazz Master Curtis Fuller, the phenomenal Steve Turre, and the much in-demand Wycliffe Gordon with his gifts as both a player and composer. Joined by a mostly young cast of instrumentalists, including frequent musical partner Sharel Cassity on alto sax, trumpeter Brandon Lee, and pianist Kris Bowers, Dease demonstrates his confidence by devoting most of the session to his own compositions. Often a young leader's songwriting skills have not matured as quickly as his performing chops. But the depth of Dease's writing is apparent right away, whether it is his boisterous bop vehicle "One 4 Steve," which features guest Victor Goines on tenor sax; the lush, tense "Elusive"; or his jaunty, strolling "Top of the Morning." The one standard, an extroverted extended workout of "Speak Low," has first-rate solos all around, including one from guest pianist Eric Reed. It's clear that Michael Dease has plenty to contribute to the future of jazz, and Clarity is warmly recommended to fans of jazz trombone.