Charlie Porter - Hindsight (2021 OA2 Records)

Internationally acclaimed GRAMMY Award Winning trumpeter and composer Charlie Porter first cut his teeth on the New York jazz scene, while simultaneously studying classical trumpet performance at The Juilliard School under the tutelage of famed trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis.

Not a stranger to the idea of infusing one's art with examinations of societal conditions, Grammy-winning trumpeter Charlie Porter follows 2019's "Immigration Nation" with thoughts of how we act in hindsight to deal with the collateral damage of 'progress' and the centuries-old struggles with racism, inequality and corruption. Born during the upheavals of 2020, "Hindsight" reflects the tumult, uncertainty, and fiery emotions of the times, yet with the recent birth of his son, and thoughts of how we're going to leave the planet for the next generation, his "For Ellis" closes the album with a gospel choir and a hymn of hope. Joining Porter on the wide-ranging set of originals are saxophonist Nick Biello, pianist Orrin Evans, guitarist Mike Moreno, bassists David Wong & Damian Erskine, Behn Gillece on vibes, drummer Kenneth Salters, along with several guest performers. "Porter's playing is fluid, expressive, and magnificent." - DOWNBEAT

1 Tipping Point 5:49

2 Hindsight 7:00

3 Walking The Plank 6:51

4 Things Fall Apart 7:53

5 Requiem 7:38

6 In Short Supply 9:45

7 Going Viral 5:55

8 Paradise Lost 5:33

9 For Ellis 4:18

All music by Charlie Porter

Porter House Music (ASCAP)

(4) lyrics by Majid Khaliq

(6) lyrics by Madelaina Piazza

Charlie Porter - trumpet

Nick Biello - alto & soprano saxophones (1,6,8), keyboards (7,8)

Mike Moreno - guitar (3-6,8)

Behn Gillece - vibraphone (2,6)

Orrin Evans - piano/keyboards

David Wong - bass

Damian Erskine - fretless electric bass (4)

Kenneth Salters - drums

Jimmie Herrod - vocals (4,6)

Rasheed Jamal - rap vocals (6)

Majid Khaliq - violin (4)

Bassekou Kouyate - ngoni (African traditional guitar) (6)

Mahamadou Tounkara - ntama (African talking drum) (6)

Hallowed Halls Gospel Choir (9)

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Brad Whiteley - Presence (DESTINY RECORDS October 5, 2018)

For his sophomore album, pianist Brad Whiteley delivers Presence, a set of artfully textured originals tailormade for his top-flight band featuring Michael Eaton on tenor saxophone, Tom Guarna on guitar, bassist Matt Pavolka, and longtime drummer Kenneth Salters, who also played on Whiteley’s debut, Pathless Land. That album, an Editor’s Pick for DownBeat in June, 2014 in which critics dubbed Whiteley “an exciting young artist to watch” set the stage for the pianist as a composer and improvisor. Presence takes Whiteley’s artistry to a new level, demonstrating his ability to incorporate a world of influences into a warm, engaging whole, led by his hooked-filled writing and fluid pianism. The album is also somewhat of a Destiny Records family affair. Eaton, Guarna, and Salters have each released their own albums as leaders on the label, and Whiteley has filled the piano/keyboard chair on five Destiny albums aside from his own. Recorded at the world-renowned Avatar Studios (now the Power Station at BerkleeNYC) by Destiny’s own George Shalda, the outstanding musicianship of Presence shines with impeccable warmth and clarity.