Marshall Gilkes Waiting To Continue

Marshall Gilkes
Waiting To Continue
Alternate Side Records

Trombonist, composer, and bandleader Marshall Gilkes is back with a trio recording. He has an impressive resume, including being a member of Maria Schneider's Orchestra, being part of Colombian harpist Edmar Castañeda's trio, and working in New York's thriving Latin music scene. Originally this album was to be titled "Play Date," but because of the pandemic and "after several months at home, living in limbo, "Waiting to Continue" proved to be a more suitable title."

This album was initially supposed to be recorded in April 2020. With the cancellation of tours for what was supposed to be a busy first half of 2020, the pandemic led him to be home with his family. Gilkes was able to finally able to get into a recording studio in early July. They recorded this album under social distancing guidelines with Clarence Penn on drums and Yasushi Nakamura on bass. Most of the music was written before the pandemic, with two of the 11 compositions penned during the quarantine.

The title track was written during the quarantine, and Gilkes states, "That piece is about the situation that 2020 brought upon us. I think all people, especially musicians, are wondering when we'll be able to move forward and are feeling unsure about what's on the other side of this." He brought trombone chorales he recorded at home to begin and conclude this track in a sober mood and state the melody leading to his marvelous improvisation with Nakamura and Penn providing a floating backing. Gilkes displays his considerable technique and a strong lyrical sense with his brushed tone and fluid playing. Penn dazzles with a deft touch and his soft rhythmic accents.

Another tune, "Archie Theme," was hatched during his wife's pregnancy and is built over a spirited motif with Penn crafting a Latin-tinged rhythm for Gilke's buoyant solo. "Longing For Home" has another lovely melody written before the pandemic. It reflects the prospect of being apart from the family for a lengthy time. Nakamura displays his touch and his improvisatory approach. The following composition, "Taconic Turns," has his twisting solo and the step forward, step backward, groove echoing driving on the Taconic Parkway,  

One remains impressed by the music Gilkes and his trio plays throughout this album. Whether a straight-ahead groove for "The Nod" or the gorgeous ballad "Anya's Tune" (another number with the prerecorded trombone chorale)," Gilkes displays plenty of imagination and nuance with Nakamura and Penn complementing and adding to the performance. "Play Date," a contrafact of "Cherokee," played at a leisurely pace with Gilkes' solo building the performance's intensity. The rhythm duo really hit the groove on a bouncy blues, "The Usual."

As sterling as Gilkes, Nakamura, and Penn play here, a trombone trio has a somewhat limited tonal palette. The tracks' programming provides a variety of grooves and song types. This helps maintain a listener's attention for the hour or so of music here if they wish to listen to this in one sitting. It contributes to the listener's enjoyment of this first-rate recording. It is available at bandcamp, https://marshallgilkes.bandcamp.com/track/waiting-to-continue.

I received a download from a publicist. Here is a selection from "Waiting to Continue."