Spring Rain by Samuel Blaser, Russ Lossing, Drew Gress, Gerald Cleaver

Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser makes his Whirlwind debut with his new quartet album Spring Rain, a tribute to US clarinettist and composer Jimmy Giuffre. Intentionally blurring the boundaries between jazz, blues, free improvisation and contemporary classical, along with an ear for strong melody, Blaser is a musician who seeks to widen the musical scope of his instrument while retaining its tonal identity. His own playing is rooted in classical training and with beginnings in blues and swing he gained a scholarship to study in the United States. His early penchant for breaking free of constraints has resulted in a number of successful collaborations, most notably with his established, trusted quartet of Russ Lossing (piano/keyboards), Drew Gress (bass) and Gerald Cleaver (drums).

Following an already impressive back-catalog – most recently his informed interpretation of works by medieval composer Guillame de Machaut (Consort in Motion: A Mirror to Machaut, 2013) – on Spring Rain Blaser takes the melodic focus and considerable but perhaps lesser-known output of Jimmy Giuffre (1921-2008) to inspire new compositions and interpretations which bristle with spontaneity and invention. Possessing a lyrical tone as well as a mastery of multiphonics (often achieving extraordinary, gritty results with these carefully-crafted embouchured/sung clusters), Blaser duels with the myriad keyboard colors of Lossing (including Wurlitzer, Fender Rhodes and Minimoog), driven by intuitive, intelligent bass and drums.

Artistically directed by the renowned Robert Sadin (Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Sting), Blaser's latest expression as a leader revels in the possibility of free improvisation which emanates as much from the influence of Stravinsky and Morton Feldman as it does high-grooving swing and blues. The diversity of the album is exemplified by the unpredictable, increasing tumult of 'Missing Mark Suetterlyn', the breezy almost Ellingtonian swing of 'Temporarily', the dark Bartokian spaciality of 'Umbra' and then riotous, improv-fusion-spirited 'The First Snow'.

Blaser thrives on continually developing and communicating new expressions in improvisation, keen for audiences to discover and appreciate the trombone in other forms. Spring Rain clearly displays that intent with an immersive soundworld which rewards with deeper understanding. He explains: “With this album I would like to show that the trombone can be melodic and have various forms of expression, and that I am not just interested in free jazz – you can't categorize my music in one space. I want people to know that there is jazz, blues, classical music, beautiful melodies and no boundaries."

PRESS HIGHLIGHTS

"Samuel Blaser is one of the great trombonists of the moment."
Culture Jazz

"A stimulating transatlantic ensemble, balancing a formula that combines drama, risks, meditation and progression."
Jazz Convention

"Blaser experiments skillfully with multiphonics on the trombone while playing the melody or improvising to create parallel audio layers."
Jazz Buzz

"a flow of innovative, cascading inventions."
Libération

"One of this year’s most celebrated five star releases."
Jazz Views

"A great record."
Le Tarn Libre

"Cinematographic, dark and dazzling."
★★★★★ Cuadernos de Jazz Editores

"Spring Rain will appeal to music lovers who like sophisticated, intelligent music with a very modern twist."
Jazz Press

"The music on Spring Rain has something incredibly refreshing and encouraging."
★★★★ Telérama

"Whether it’s modern post-bop, avant-garde free improv or chamber music, Blaser always brings an unconventional voice to the affair."
Bird is the Worm

"With Spring Rain, Blaser stands at the crossroads of jazz and contemporary music."
Jazz à bâbord

"Right now, there appears to be no one – and I mean absolutely no one – more eminently qualified to make a tribute to Jimmy Giuffre than Samuel Blaser. The trombonist worships at the altar of of creativity, as Mr. Giuffre did throughout his life..."
JazzdaGama

"Samuel Blaser is a top trombonist in the new jazz field and this quartet qualifies as one of the most vibrant out there today."
Gapplegate Music Review

"Great music, firmly rooted in the jazz tradition, but with a very surprising inventiveness."
★★★★ Jazzwise Magazine

"A sublime homage to the visionary work of under-sung innovator Jimmy Giuffre... The sonorous tone of Blaser's lyrical phrasing and expressive multiphonics is a unifying element throughout."
All About Jazz

"Samuel Blaser's intention that Spring Rain might "show that the trombone can be melodic and have various forms of expression" is beautifully realised in this imaginative, forward-thinking release."
London Jazz

"Spring Rain has an impressive blend of serious and playful moments, music to contemplate yet not fuss over."
Step Tempest

"Spring Rain can’t fail to be one of this year’s most celebrated five star releases."
Jazz Views

"Blaser has successfully negotiated a path from avant-garde to mainstream-modern and with a dream group produces the record of his career so far."
Jazz Journal

"Blaser trills and sways with a wonderful, inebriated tone."
Swiss Vibe Magazine

"Mr. Blaser explores this music, and the terse angularities of his own originals, with a smartly elastic rhythm section."
The New York Times

"A thrilling piece of work where the ebb and flow of diverse sounds capture the listener."
Jazz Tokyo

"A really great success... Superior compositions."
Leipziger Volkszeitung

"More than just excellent, it's surprising, contemporary, improvised music on compositionally solid standing."
★★★★★ Concerto Magazine

"An imaginatively conceived and impeccably rendered dedication to an artist who, like himself, is a true jazz visionary."
Jazz Bob

"Blaser plays in the top league in his field, and not just in Switzerland, but globally... Full of warmth and seemingly effortless approach in his tone, as well as rhythmic multiphonics."
★★★★★ Jazz 'n' More

"Full of meditative serenity."
Audio Magazine

"A work that shows the way that improvised music can be a real listening experience: unpredictable, exciting and enjoyable."
★★★★ Jazzthetik Magazine

"An impressive improviser and composer who looks to the bigger picture of Jazz Convention."
Neue Musikzeitung

"Maintains the sense of lyricism whilst pushing at the boundaries."
★★★★ Jazz Magazine

"[Blaser] patiently explores the nooks and crannies within the melodies and rhythms and does so with such delicacy, he moves his colleagues to do the same."
Glide Magazine

"This is music with an intellectual edge."
★★★★★ Stereo Magazine

"Samuel Blaser is a top trombonist in the new jazz field and this quartet qualifies as one of the most vibrant out there today."
Gapplegate Music Review

"Blaser is one of the most globally recognized performers on his instrument."
Berliner Zeitung

"Authentic in its reflection of sounds past, present and future, [Spring Rain] is another fluid example of this brass player’s flourishing talent."
The WholeNote

"Spring Rain uniquely salutes a jazz hero while showcasing the skills of improvisers who propel the tradition in their own manner."
The New York City Jazz Record

"The special attraction of this album is the refreshing cross-genre unpredictability of the musicians."
Hörerlebnis

"Mr. Blaser has a precise, expressive style on trombone and he’s an ace with multiphonic techniques, which enable him to growl chords on the instrument."
The New York Times

"He not only sculpts meticulous improvisations that sound composed, but also assembles smart projects in which the concept never overwhelms the emotional substance."
Chicago Reader

"A play on textures and depth create a metamorphosis of sound that goes beyond the acoustic phenomenon."
Noiself

"Inspired new interpretations and compositions full of spontaneity and inventiveness."
Tracce Di Jazz Magazine

Samuel Blaser (20 July 1981 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) is a Swiss trombonist and composer.

samuelblaser.com
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