Album Review: The Vigil and The Sleeping Giant from Ron Wilkins and Rebecca Patterson

-

 


Album: The Vigil and The Sleeping Giant
Artist:  Ron Wilkins and Rebecca Patterson
Label: Adhyâropa Records
Release Date: April 10, 2026
Websites:  https://www.adhyaroparecords.com
www.RebeccaPattersonMusic.com
www.RonWilkins.com
 
Partners and co-collaborators Ron Wilkins and Rebecca Patterson present their newest creation The Vigil and The Sleeping Giant, consisting of all original material by the pair.  Both are multi-instrumentalists and play the trombone on the recording with Wilkins contributing vocals.  The impetus for the compositions is Wikins's stint with COVID-19, causing him to be put into a medically induced coma for 37 days, followed by a regiment of rehabilitation to gain back his strength.
 
The first four tracks are Covid Suites, depicting Wilkins's medical event.  Beginning with "Covid Suite I:  Big City Livin'," Wilkins's improvisations on the trombone interact with Ed Nuemeister's trombone, amassing a vibrant blaze of animated musings.  The track has an action adventure feel reminiscent of theme songs from crime dramas like Kojak and Hill Street Blues.  "Covid Suite II:  Comatose Dreams and Nightmares" turns intense, driven by the crazed swirls of Aaron Heick's saxophone and Alex Pope Norris's trumpet.  Layering multiple voices alongside Wilkins's doodling trombone, produces a fast paced and volcanic size flare-ups.
 
"Covid Suite III:  Awaken and Alleluia" is a slow and pensive melody with R&B overtones and orchestral raptures.  Giving the listener the impression of setting music to a sunrise.  "Covid Suite IV:  The Sleeper Has Awaken" in clad in soul jazz grooves as Wilkins's chanting vocals permeate a spiritual voicing.
 
The following four tracks represent the aftermath of Wilkins's medical event.  The cruising riffs of Patterson's piece "Sulk City" soar and recede in waves, coasting into the contemplative mood of "Near East," featuring the serpentine movements of Zac Zinger's bansuri.  A thoughtful vibe is palpable along "Waltz Someday," transitioning into the balmy motifs of Ron Wilkins and Morgan King's composition "Like A Brother," brandishing a romantic tint in Ron Blake's saxophone.
 
There is a freestyle penmanship in the scores and a natural harmony in the conversational interaction and bouts of introspection.  Elements of jazz, soul, R&B, and orchestral tones come together into a meaningful montage that draws the listener into the story.
 
Musicians:
Ron Wilkins - Trombone
Rebecca Patterson - Trombone
Ron Blake - Tenor Saxophone
Mike King - Fender Rhodes
Boris Kozlov - Bass solo
Ed Neumeister - trombone
Zac Zinger - EWI
Aaron Heick - Soprano Saxophone
Alex Norris - Trumpet
Ray Marchica - Drum
Freddie Hendrix - Trumpet
Jeff Barone - Guitar
Seneca Black - Trumpet
Carl Maraghi - Baritone Saxophone

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Album Review: Becoming Marlene Dietrich from Myriam Phiro

-
Image
Album:  Becoming Marlene Dietrich Artist:  Myriam Phiro Label:  Self-Released Website:  www.myriamphiro.com Smooth jazz vocalist Myriam Phiro introduces a new generation of music listeners to jazz standards that made Marlene Dietrich famous in her time from the 1920's to 1940's with Phiro's new release Becoming Marlene Dietrich .  Although Phiro immerses herself in melodies that had been Dietrich's trademark tunes, Phiro tailors the songs to her likeness.  Her illustrious mezzo-soprano register is higher on the vocal spectrum than Dietrich's contralto pitch, which stamps the tracks with her own unique nuances and inflections.  Her treatment of the verses is finessed with a distinctly soft, feminine touch and a delightfully, hypnotic resonance, setting her style apart from Dietrich's. Her vocals cradle the lyrics of "Quand L’Amour Meurt," written by Georges Crémieux and Octave Millandy, with a warmth that penetrates the listener's soul as Hyuna Park...
Read more

Album Review: The Ways In from James Zollar

-
Image
Album:  The Ways In Artist:  James Zollar Label:  Label: JZAZ Records Websites:  https://www.rsberkeley.com/james-zollar https://www.discogs.com/artist/954763-James-Zollar https://wyntonmarsalis.org/personnel/detail/james-zollar A straight-ahead jazz oeuvre, The Ways In from bandleader and trumpet player James Zollar resumes a quest where pioneers of the trumpet's sympathetic vibrations like Clifford Brown and Bill Coleman left off.  Zollar shows audiences the delightful, melodious tone of the trumpet, moving in harmony with an array of brass, woodwinds, and rhythm instruments. The robust wails of Zollar's trumpet strutting languidly along "Do Nothing 'till You Hear From Me" emotes an enduring personable trait, unwavering persistence in the face of being dejected.  The recording switches to a joyful atmosphere in "Swing Spring" with jangly beats from percussionist Chembo Corniel, interfacing with the buoyant ripples generated by Michael Rorby's trom...
Read more

Album Review: Globetrotter from Luca di Luzio

-
Image
Album:  Globetrotter Artist:  Luca di Luzio Label:  Self-Released Website:  www.lucadiluzio.it   Guitarist Luca di Luzio's upcoming CD, Globetrotter  is an assortment of contemporary jazz tunes bridging funk, blues, soul, and Latin music.  Comprised of a few jazz standards and a handful of original works written by Luca di Luzio, a prolific guitar player who studied different styles of music, the recording expresses his personal vision of jazz guitar based on melody and groove.  Joining Di Luzio in his vision are bass guitarist Jimmy Haslip, drummer Dave Wecki, keyboardist George Whitty, and saxophonists Max Ionata and Alessandro Fariselli. From dance-funk numbers like "Jazzlife" and "Elisir" to the soft billows and reflective moods projected in "Smile" and " Buena Suerte," Di Luzio's artistry stems from his vision to make music that is aesthetically pleasing.  "Sunshower," a tune written by Kenny Barron, is a pr...
Read more