NAOMI MOON SIEGEL

SHATTER THE GLASS SANCTUARY

Slow & Steady Records

Naomi Moon Siegel, trombone/composer/co-producer; Marina Albero, piano; Andy Coe, guitar; Kelsey Mines, bass; Ray Larsen, trumpet; Christopher Icasiano, drums/percussion; Allison Miller, award-winning drummer/co-producer.

The first tune on this unique production is titled “The Adventures of Violet & Pilot.”  It gives bassist Kelsey Mines several bars to improvise after the horns introduce the tune with power and excitement.  Marina Albero’s piano solo puts a little blues in the mix and shows the softer side of this original composition by Naomi Moon Siegel.

“Writing this music was a catharsis for me,” explained Siegel.  “I broke down and broke open to allow myself to feel the grief and heartbreak of leaving a city and community I loved, even as I was so curious about living in a smaller community more integrated with nature.  This music is about … knocking down cultural walls and emotional silos to make space for a wide spectrum of feelings.”

Track #2 is titled “Sabotage.”  It has Ray Laren stepping into the spotlight on trumpet.  When Siegel enters on trombone, she brings an Avant-garde sound and delivery that moves across a rhythm section that showcases the drums of Christopher Icasiano. Added is the busy piano improvisation of Marina Albero. I enjoy the arrangement of staccato notes and unexpected breaks. There is a reminder of similarity to a Thelonious Monk composition. “Seep Into My Pores” is a tune quite beautiful that allows Andy Coe to step stage-front on his guitar, followed by an inspired trumpet solo. The drums play like a marching band in the background, while Albero explores the 88-keys of her piano. This song and arrangement are such a contradiction to the other two compositions, it almost sounds like a different album.

Siegel is an adjunct professor of trombone at the University of Montana, who teaches privately and actively in artist clinics.  She is also a faculty member at the Stanford Jazz Workshop.  Her work has awarded Siegel the Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Hero Award, the Montana Art Council’s Artist Innovation Award and she is a recipient of Chamber Music America’s Performance Plus Grant. These are only a scattering of the accolades and awards she has received, while exploring the trombone as a vehicle of jazz expression.  Her current release, a third album exploring her composition talents and trombone excellence, unfolds a wide range of styles and unique arrangements. This is particularly evident in her “Shatter the Glass Sanctuary Suite” that breaths modern and free jazz into the birthing of five original songs or movements. This is modern jazz with an experimental twist.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!

Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.

We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.

Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music

You can donate directly through Paypal!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter