NANAMI HARUTA

THE VIBE

Origin Records

Nanami Haruta, trombone/composer; Xavier Davis, piano; Rodney Whitaker, bass; Ulysses Owens Jr., drums; Chris Minami, guitar; Michael Dease, trombone/baritone saxophone.

Nanami Haruta is a new trombone voice on the jazz scene.  She’s been a professional jazz musician since the age of fifteen.

“I started playing trombone at school when I was eight years old in a band of elementary school students playing jazz, which is rare in Japan,” the young lady explains.

In 2019, Nanami Haruta won the most Outstanding Student Award at the Seiko Summer Jazz Camp in Tokyo. She also garnered the attention of trombone master, Michael Dease. Her talent and steady determination on her instrument got the attention of Professor Dease who became one of her mentors.  Currently, she is attending Michigan State University’s Jazz Program, seeking a Performance Diploma.  What a compliment to her talents that her professors and bandmates are featured on this album. Both the awesome bassist, Rodney Whitaker is playing along with Professor Dease. Additionally, MSU professor Xavier Davis plays piano.  She also has invited from the Ulysses Owens Jr., Big Band, Owens himself on drums.

“They are jazz musicians whom I respect the most. … it was a great pleasure to have them perform on the album.  Their playing has made the music several levels better,” Nanami is both enthusiastic and grateful for the professional support she received on her debut album.

Opening with “Girlie’s World” (a Rene Rosnes composition) the beautiful, rich baritone saxophone of Michael Dease acts as an ebullient addition to this arrangement. Nanami Haruta confidently holds her own.  She steps stage center, letting her own talents shine brilliantly and assertively on trombone.

When the title tune bursts on the scene, Nanami and Professor Dease share the spotlight, letting their trombones talk to each other like close friends. “The Vibe” provides a platform for both trombonists to share a musical conversation during the performance of Gregg Hill’s outstanding composition. I totally enjoyed the Xavier Davis piano solo, that put the “S” in ‘swing’ and added mad creativity during his expanded improvisational solo.

An original tune by Haruta catches my ear.  It’s called “Toshi” and I found it to be quite melodic and lovely. Another beautiful ballad she composed is titled “Heartstrings.” This outstanding debut album by Nanami Haruta was co-produced by her mentors Gregg Hill and Michael Dease.  I enjoyed the Chris Glassman arrangement of Christian McBride’s tune “Sister Rosa,” where Rodney Whitaker offers us a dynamic bass solo.  On “Easy Money” Ulysses Owens Jr., is brilliant on drums. Nanami Haruta is a young artist on the rise.  Her potential is promising.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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