THE BIGGER BADDER BONES, featuring André HAYWARD

SLIDERS

Summit Records

Andre Hayward, lead trombone; Brett Stamps, trombone/composer; Christopher Leach & Pete Madsen, trombones; Steve Wilson, bass trombone; Jeff Jenkins, piano/keyboard; Bobby Scharmann, bass; Doug Montera, drums.

You haven’t been thrilled by a trombone until you hear one playing the blues. The Bigger Badder Bones brings you a blues number to open their latest album, and it’s awesome! The title tune of this album, “Sliders,” shuffles on the scene with Andre Hayward on lead trombone and brilliant. Bobby Scharmann’s bass line threads through the piece like Christmas lights, bright and colorful, prominent at the introduction.

They follow this with a Latin-inspired tune called “The Winning Edge.” It features all five trombones and spotlights Jeff Jenkins on keyboard. Doug Montera takes a drum solo that’s inspired. The arrangement is rich and harmonic. In the same swinging way that the Bigger Badder Bones started this production, they return to the blues for track #4, “Blues for J and K.”

You hear how much the trombone sounds like the human voice during this presentation. The featured trombone solo is a highlight of this entire session. These trombones actually sound like they’re talking to me. At the same time, this tune’swings’ hard!

All of the Brett Stamps compositions reflect many stages of the composer’s life. Stamps is the composer in residence for the Big Bad Bones group. He was formerly with the Stan Kenton Orchestra and has performed with Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Barry Manilow. He’s even performed with the Motown “Temptations” singing group. Based in St. Louis, Brett performs regularly in shows at the MUNY and Fox Theaters.

All the trombone participants are gifted and have resumes to reflect their professionalism. Chris Leach also plays piano and is an educator based in Omaha, Nebraska, teaching jazz piano and jazz trombone at the university. Speaking of Omaha, Nebraska, Pete Madsen has been Coordinator of Jazz Studies at the university there since 2000. He performs regularly with the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra and the Omaha Big Band. Bass trombonist Steve Wilson has roots in El Paso, Texas, where he serves as Music Department Chair at the University of Texas, El Paso. He’s accustomed to playing in trombone groups. For ten years, Wilson performed with the Continental Trombone Quartet.

Their rhythm section is as talented as the horn players. Jeff Jenkins, their pianist, has worked with several jazz legends, including Phil Woods, Freddie Hubbard, and David Fathead Newman. Bobby Scharmann is a native of Manhattan, Kansas. He currently performs as associate principal bass in the Omaha Symphony. Doug Montera spent 22 years as an Air Force drummer performing all across the United States, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Last but not least, Andre Hayward uses a gospel-infused approach to playing his trombone. He was born in Houston, Texas, in 1973. His first engagement was with trumpeter Roy Hargrove, joining him for a European tour. He also recorded with the vocal icon Betty Carter for five years. Every tune on this album reflects the magnificence of these players, their awesome arrangements, and the composer skills of Brett Stamps.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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