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Chicago-based trumpeter/composer Marques Carroll is a member of two of the city’s most popular jazz groups, the Soul Jazz Collective and the Trumpet Summit, and he has toured with the Count Basie Orchestra. For his debut as a leader he has assembled a group of Chicago cohorts (alto saxophonist Brent Griffin, pianist Amir Fahmy, bassist Christian Dillingham, and drummer Greg Artry) plus special guests performing compositions Carroll wrote in tribute to those who came before him. Highlights include “The Ancestors Call Upon Us,” where trombonist Alex Wasily joins the horns and Victor Garcia adds his congas to the Afro-Cuban groove; “Beyond The Battle,” which begins with 55 seconds of free improvisation (the battle) before settling into an up-tempo march; “Resolution For Us,” with its dreamy intro and bass vamp; and “The Ancestors’ Final Words,” which is blues based. Sharon Irving adds emotional vocals to “Aries Goddess,” where a mother runs to her son who has just been gunned down. Special recognition goes to Griffin, who provides passionate solos throughout, and to Artry, whose dynamic drumming gives each tune exactly what it needs. An early contender for my favorite recording of 2021.
By Greg Turner
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