Album Review: Passionata: The Music of Gregg Hill from the Technocats

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Album:  Passionata: The Music of Gregg Hill 
Artist:  Technocats
Label: Cold Plunge Records
Release Date: August 28, 2026
Website:  www.gregghilljazz.com
www.coldplungerecords.com 

The Technocats is a contemporary jazz ensemble rooted in Michigan’s fertile jazz community.  Their 2026 release Passionata: The Music of Gregg Hill shows them exploring the jazz language through improvised exchanges and melodic phrasing, using the music of Gregg Hill as their source.  Led by bass trombonist Chris Glassman, alongside guitarist Nathan Borton, the group brings together a motley crew of performers, arrangers, educators, and improvisers, who develop their harmonic concepts from the straight-ahead jazz marketplace, merged with contemporary influences and individual expression.

The ensemble’s arrangements are cultivated by each player contributing to the compositions progression, creating a collaborative environment where written material evolves through interaction among the musicians while exerting an individual flare.  Each musician holds the spotlight intermittently, so the audience is exposed to everyone in the group through each conversation.  A kinetic energy emerges as boisterous solos are tethered to "Horse Feathers," tempered by the smooth vamps tooling "Dancing Light," spawning cool jazz musings.

The track “Technocats,” named for the ensemble itself, has a relaxing tilt in the rhythmic hooks, jumping into the Latin grooves of “The Race Is On,” arranged by Chris Glassman and bass player Javier Enrique.  The title track has an after hours glow, cruising into the cool palpitations of“Nostalgia,” arranged by Michael Reed.  Closing the recording with the jubilant tempo of “Double Play,” arranged by Glassman, the Technocats indulge in playful swing steered by modern perspectives.

The Technocats simply ask audiences to sit back and enjoy their interaction, relishing the role of being a spectator.  Each musician shares the responsibility of stepping into the spotlight and initiating the interplay of improvised exchanges and melodic phrasing, making the entire recording a collaborative affair.

Musicians:
Chris Glassman - bass trombone
Walter Blanding - tenor & soprano saxophone
Skylar Tang - trumpet
Nathan Borton - guitar
Bryn Roberts - piano
Javier Enrique - bass
Keith Hall - drums

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