Thanks to Jan van Leersum of Rootstime.be in Belgium for his review of trombonist Eric Goletz's "A NEW LIGHT," releasing January 21, 2022 on CAP Records. Translation courtesy of Google.
“Goletz convinces with his sublime playing… "Prelude: Before the Light," a classical composition along the lines of Gershwin and an introduction to "A New Light," is a swinging big band song in which you can enjoy Goletz's melodic, beautifully articulated sound on the trombone. Goletz and his fantastic band know how to orchestrate everything very well, a fine synthesis and that applies to the entire album!”
The virtuoso trombonist Eric Goletz releases his second album under his own name with “A New Light”. After a 30-year career as a studio musician and available on demand in New York City as a blazer, he released his debut "Into the night" in March 2021. Goletz had actually already started working on this new album before his first was released, it's again an exciting, eclectic mix of musical styles that makes for a varied soundstage and very pleasant music to listen to. Goletz was born with his musical interest, his father was a pianist and big band arranger who enthused his children to play an instrument. Goletz began studying classical guitar, piano and music theory when he was six, but when he was 14 he fell for the sound of the trombone in his father's band.
He also started composing early and soon wrote the music and arrangements for the various groups he played in. His main source was jazz, but he had an open ear for many types of music. “I think of music as having endless possibilities. It's a journey where you can never be absolutely sure where it will lead. Although my background is in jazz and classical music, I spend much time listening to other forms of music such as pop, rock, country, motown, funk, latin and even heavy metal. There's always something new to learn, and I try to keep an open mind to the simple joy of listening to music," said Goletz.
Ïnto the Night wrote Goletz using concepts he had developed over 25 years, on "A New Light" he expanded his original ideas with more complex arrangements and an expanded horn section and strings. All compositions are written by Goletz except "Dig" by Miles Davis, "Sunrise Sunset" by Jerry Bock from Fiddler on the Roof and "Song for Elizabeth" by Jonathan Butler, all arrangements are by Goletz. The total company that can be heard consists of more than 20 musicians, so a big band. The core consists of Eric Goletz on trombone and keyboards, Randy Brecker on trumpet and flugelhorn, Jim Ridl on piano, Allen Farnham on keyboards, Henry Heinitsh on el. guitar, Marco Panascia on bass, Joe Mowatt on percussion and Steve Johns on drums. The album opens with "Prelude: Before the Light" a classical composition along the lines of Gershwin and an introduction to "A New Light" a swinging big band song in which you can enjoy Goletz's melodic, beautifully articulated sound on the trombone.
“Edge of Night” is pure jazz rock with a prominent el. guitar and subtle percussion. Miles' well-known “Dig” gets a latin touch here, a strong solo by Ridl on the keyboard and great playing by grandmaster Randy Brecker on his trumpet, swingtime! “Enchanted” is a romantic ballad for the entire orchestra, including strings, here too Goletz convinces with his sublime playing. With “Greene Street Groove” the atmosphere changes to bluesy funk. This album passes by with alternating calm ballads and funky uptempo songs. “Song for Elizabeth” is an example of the first and with “Don't gimme that” the gas is picked up again, “The Mirror” is pure funky jazz rock, not my favorite genre in itself, but Goletz and his fantastic band know how to orchestrate everything very well, a fine synthesis and that applies to the entire album!
Horn section : Trumpet : Tony Gorruso, Freddie Maxwell, Kent Smith. French Horn : Will DeVos. Alto Sax : Bob Magnuson. Trombone : Erick Storckman, Chris Rinaman. Bass Trombone : Jonathan Greenberg. Tuba : Matt Ingman. Strings : violin : Robin Zeh, Paul Woodiel. Viola : Michael Roth, David Gold. Cello : Sarah Hewitt Roth.
Jan van Leersum.
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