Boneyard

With his debut recording as a leader, trombonist and jazz educator Tom Brantley offers a versatile release, including both established and new compositions and live and studio performances, as well as a variety of different bands. The opening track, "Exemption," is a top-drawer feature for multiple trombones, with Brantley and composer Jerald Shynett as the trombone soloists, accompanied by the trombone section on loan from Chuck Owen & the Jazz Surge in a superb post-bop chart. Brantley has the chops to pull off a marvelous duet of "Stardust" with guitarist LaRue Nickelson. Tenor saxophonist/composer Jack Wilkins (not to be confused with the veteran jazz guitarist) penned the lively "Boneyard," which melds Afro-Cuban and New Orleans funk. From a 2008 concert come several small-group tracks, including a funky quartet setting of "In a Mellotone" with organ, guitar, and drums, plus a subtle adaptation of French composer Camille Saint-Saëns' Adagio. From the same show, trombonist Keith Oshiro is added with piano and bass (in place of the organ) for a breezy arrangement of Randy Weston's popular "Hi-Fly," along with a sauntering New Orleans second-line scoring of Charlie Parker's normally brisk "Confirmation." Highly recommended.