10/10/08

Boston trombonist Tim Lienhard's debut album, "What the World Would Have," is now officially available. Check out the media page for samples from the album!

05/18/08

I just returned from Boston, where we tracked the Tim Lienhard Quintet for Tim's debut album, to be released later this summer on Belle Records. Tim Lienhard, a recent graduate of the New England Conservatory, is not your typical jazz trombonist/composer. His subtle phrasing and harmonic sense is reminiscent of Bob Brookmeyer, and not so "tromboney."

Special thanks to Joe Tooley and the staff at Q-Division studios for making our experience there seamless.

In other news, Don Immel has been making a splash with his debut release, Long Way Home. A quick google search will bring up a myriad of great reviews that the album has been getting. Don's music might make you re-think what role the trombone can play in contemporary music. Long Way Home (an Elemental Music release) is available through our site.

05/09/08

This week I'll be in Boston producing/engineering Belle Records artist Tim Lienhard's debut album at Q-division Studios. The Boston-area trombonist has been feverishly writing and rehearsing tunes for his album, which will feature a handful of NEC young lions.

04/27/08

Neil Welch's Narmada has been receiving warm reviews. Jazz Police's Maxwell Chandler recently wrote an especially warm, detailed review. Check it out at: jazzpolice.com/content/view/7692/79/

03/02/08

"Madness in Motion" from Neil Welch's debut album, Narmada, is currently part of KEXP Seattle's "Music That Matters" podcast. This week's theme is "Not your father's jazz," and features a number of exciting jazz artists, including Matt Jorgensen, Cuong Vu, and Neil Welch. Check it out!

2/19/08

Neil Welch's debut release, Narmada, is available!!!

Neil Welch has established himself as a creative force in the Seattle jazz scene. Joining Neil on the album are a number of Seattle's young lions, as well as world-renown sitarist Debi Prasad Chatterjee, and Tor Dietrichson on tablas- who with Neil also comprise the traditional Hindustani ensemble, Nada Brahma. Narmada effortlessly draws from Welch's diverse musical influences with an honesty that accommodates his almost spiritual approach to improvisation. The core of the rhythm section (with Chris Icasiano on drums and Luke Bergman on bass) bring a driving, post-bop approach that underpins Welch's compositions, giving the record fire, shape and unity.

01/17/08

"The Essential Rochut" is officially available for sale! "The Essential Rochut" features a handful of the nation's premier classical trombonists performing their favorite Bordogni/Rochut Etudes.

12/27/07

This past year Vincent LaBelle co-produced a project with trombonist Don Immel, under the Elemental Music label. "Long Way Home" features a number of original jazz compositions by Don Immel, and a host of Northwest jazz names, including drummer Gary Hobbs and pianist Marc Seales. Check it out at www.donimmel.com

12/10/07

I just got back from Boston, where I recorded trombonist Doug Yeo (yeodoug.com) of the Boston Symphony Orchestra for "The Essential Rochut." I had the fortune to record in Boston's beautiful Symphony Hall, and Doug played wonderfully.