Description
MATT HALL – TROMBONE, COMPOSER, ARRANGER, PRODUCER
CHARLIE ARBELAEZ – ALTO SAXOPHONE, COMPOSER
LOUIS VALENZUELA – GUITAR
JASON SHATTIL – PIANO
MACKENZIE LEIGHTON – UPRIGHT BASS
KEVIN KANNER – DRUMS
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For Matt Hall, Jazz is a journey—a lifelong endeavor spearheaded by the trombone. A cool trip that began in Kingsport, in his home state of Tennessee. A student of Rick Simerly, Matt studied the Masters: Urbie Green, Frank Rosolino, Carl Fontana, JJ Johnson and of course Bill Watrous. At age 21 he joined the United State Marine Corps where he would move to Southern California. It’s where he met Charlie Arbalaez whose alto sax chops were are already gaining great momentum. During his time in the service, Hall would gain a chair in the highly prestigious USMC Jazz Orchestra, touring the country. After an enlistment with the Corps, Matt and Charlie tackled SUNY Purchase Conservatory in New York, studying with John Faddis before earning Masters degrees on their instruments under the direction of Bill Yeager at San Diego State University.
This debut album, pays tribute to Matt’s Great Aunt Joan and her exasperation over Matt’s constant practicing during his childhood always exclaiming: “I hope to my never”! From the blues-driven opener, Biscuits and Gravy, to the completely burnin’ Cherokee contrafact closer that embodies moving to New York City, Charlie’s Harley, this album swings on many levels from start to finish, offering many twists and turns throughout. Fellow trombonists and brass players alike will particularly love and appreciate Matt’s tip of the cap to Bill Watrous and Rick Simerly with a breath-taking cadenza titled 3G—Matt and Charlie’s NYC apartment number overlooking the George Washington Bridge in Manhattan.
Enjoy the journey!
-Dave Scott, Emmy award-winning TV feature writer, Jazz Trombonist, Composer