Gardner, Derrick
Impact Jazz, 2020, CD
Instrument: Trumpet
Issue: 26.4
Jazz Ruler Type: BigBand
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 78
O’s Notes: Derrick Gardner takes a grand leadership role on Still I Rise leading his Big dig! Band, arranging, producing and composing all of the music. The North American band has many musicians from Manitoba where Gardner resides, and they all stand tall. The layered brass on “Push Come To Shove” is excellent on top of a strong rhythm section with Zen Zadravec (p), Luke Sellick (b) and Curtis Nowosad (d). Nowosad and guitarist Kasey Kurtz shine on “Soulful Brother Gelispie” dedicated to Randy Gelispie, an unsung jazz drummer. There are bluesy ballads like “Melody for Trayvon”, swingers like “8 Ball, Side Pocket” and lots of hot takes with ample entertaining solos.
Publicist: Lydia Liebman Promotions
