Label: Outside in Music, 2023
Personnel - Nick Finzer: trombone; Lucas Pino: tenor saxophone, bass clarinet; Alex Wintz: guitar; Glenn Zaleski: piano; Dave Baron: bass; Jimmy Macbride: drums.
American trombonist Nick Finzer is known for bringing passionate lyricism and keen harmonic excursions to his compositional style. At the age of 34, he reveals an enviable musical maturity, drawing heavily from tradition but demonstrating an innate ability to modernize and engage listeners. On Dreams Visions Illusions - the result of the New Jazz Works grant and his fifth outing as a leader - he builds on the signature style of previous releases with the help of faithful collaborators who give body to his ‘Hear and Now’ sextet.
True to form, the group begins this journey by alerting against capitalism in our society with “To Dream a Bigger Dream”. Buoyantly tackling the theme, Finzer and saxophonist Lucas Pino deliver powerful statements in a luxurious post-bop setting that includes a good vamping time for drummer Jimmy Macbride to speak.
The facility in Finzer’s narrative process comes to the fore on “I Thought I Should Take the Road Less Traveled”, an affectionate and gently propulsive torch song with a triple time feel. Here, one can sense a sort of crossover appeal that brings Pat Metheny to mind. There’s also strong melody in Finzer’s phrase construction, as well as a stunning improvised delivery by guitarist Axel Wintz. A similar charm is dispensed on “Waking Up”, where bassist Dave Baron serves as the sole accompanist to Finzer’s thematic melody.
“But I Did What They Said” boasts an astounding modal theme while bearing that sort of pathos conveyed by King Crimson. Yet, the number is energized with effective solos. “Follow Your Heart” is moved by well-placed rhythmic accents, hard swinging verve and a tour de force statement by pianist Glenn Zaleski, who constructs and deconstructs as he gets adequate responses from the drummer. He’s followed by the highly articulate Wintz. Whereas the pianist stands out in the rubato ballad “Vision or Mirage?”, the guitarist participates in a dialogue with Finzer and Pino (on bass clarinet) on “Aspirations and Convictions”, whose balladic feel is slightly stirred by Macbride’s snare rudiments.
Finzer and his co-workers deliver stories seasoned and packaged with their own identity. Whether subtle or invigorated, they normally have a powerful effect on the listener.
Favorite Tracks:
01 - To Dream a Bigger Dream ► 05 - I Thought I Should Take the Road Less Traveled ► 06 - But I Did What They Said