Search - Rick Stepton :: Blue Collar Trombone

Blue Collar Trombone
Rick Stepton
Blue Collar Trombone
Genres: Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1


     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: Rick Stepton
Title: Blue Collar Trombone
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 1
Label: Brownstone Records
Release Date: 5/26/1998
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Styles: Modern Postbebop, Bebop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 783572980429
 

CD Reviews

Play some more!!!!!
jimboturbo | Ohio | 12/27/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The beauty of the internet, and indeed it's curse, is that everyone has a say, whether it is informed or not. All opinions are valid, of course, but in a public forum, it is especially helpful to back one's assertions with illuminating examples, which the previous reviewer did not. It'd be helpful to know what music and musicians he or she does find inspiring; since none were listed, it is best to assume that they're taking their first few tentative steps along the path of musical and personal maturity.



Buddy Rich went on record as citing Rick Stepton as his favorite lead trombonist. If you already knew that, then you'll also know that Rick was also a featured soloist with Buddy's band, as he also was with Woody Herman (The Raven Speaks), Chuck Mangione, Lighthouse, as he continues to be with Richie Cole, the Jimmy Dorsey band, the Artie Shaw Orchestra, the Harry James band, and many others.



"Blue Collar Trombone" features the incomparable Herb Pomeroy on trumpet; Rick's BR bandmate Steve Marcus on reeds; and the brilliant rhythm section of John Wilkins, Bronek Suchanek, and Bob Gullotti. Marcus delivers some exquisite soprano sax work in addition to his exciting tenor work.



Rick covers quite a wide range of music, including his uptempo version of "Round Midnight", his faithful rendition of "Just Squeeze Me", his personal takes on Mingus, Gershwin, and Gil Evans, and his own earthy and funky originals.



Stylistically and sonically, Mr. Stepton is in a league of his own. His sound is dark, warm, and beautiful - is 'chocolately' a word? He covers a wide range of stylistic territory that ranges from Albert Mangelsdorff and Frank Rosolino to Trummy Young and Jack Teagarden, and does so in a manner that eschews self-conscious effort. His plunger work keeps vibrant an art form that is being lost by the current crop of young trombonists.



Rick's sound is warm, personal, and engaging. It is the voice of a veteran, one who is too musically mature to unnecessarily parley with the young turks in the game of faster, louder, and higher - mostly because he wrote the rulebook on faster, louder, and higher!



Rick Stepton has recorded three CDs using this same band; my favorite of the trio is the first, "Inspiration". This CD is extremely enjoyable, one that I have continued to listen to since I first acquired it ten years ago. If you've read this far, I think you'll enjoy it as well."
Superbe
R. Mc Ginley | 02/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a superbe album by Rick Stepton. All I can really say is it is a must have along with his other two albums Insperation and Stiff Upper Lip."