Alan Ferber: trombone; Jon Gordon: alto saxophone; John Ellis: tenor saxophone; Scott Wendholt: trumpet; Shane Endsley: trumpet; Charles Pillow: bass clarinet; Nate Radley: guitar; Bryn Roberts: piano; Matt Clohesy: bass; Mark Ferber: drums.

Alan Ferber, a persuasive trombonist with strong writing skills and modernistic vision, keeps his nonet active since 2005, time when he released the excellent “Scenes From An Exit Row”. The saxophonist John Ellis and the drummer Mark Ferber, Alan’s twin brother, were the ones present in all the recordings of the nonet so far.
The leader sought inspiration on his two-year-old son, Theo, during the first months of his life, and the music conveys a comforting effect, filling our souls with an inebriating musicality that flows with passion and sensitivity.
The surefooted “Roots and Transitions” has a majestic opening with the stately downbeat “Quiet Confidence”, and moves forward providing us other memorable experiences. The edgy “Clocks” features outstanding solos from Jon Gordon and Nate Radley, “Wayfarer” presents a more traditional voice leading and structure, and “Cycles” exhibits a radiating collective improvisation over a motivic idea.

Favorite Tracks:
01 – Quiet Confidence ► 03 – Clocks ► 08 – Cycles