With a remarkable trajectory as both a trumpeter and a composer, Dave Ballou performs in and composes for orchestras and big ensembles (Either/Orchestra, Meridian Art Ensemble, John Hollenbeck’s Large Ensemble, Woody Herman Big Band and so on), but here we find him playing solo, sometimes using pre-notated materials, others improvising on the edge. In the crossroads of jazz and classical music, he interpreted Bach’s “Bradenburg Concertos” and worked with the recently departed third stream mentor, Gunther Schuller, in symphonic contexts. But that’s not what defines him: a disciple of Clark Terry, and receiving the influences of other trumpet legends like Clifford Brown and Woody Shaw, Ballou is devoted to the development of new techniques and new vocabularies for his instrument, and that puts him in the same – or close enough – place where we find Nate Wooley (one track of this CD is dedicated to him, “Wooley Warmth”) and Peter Evans. Poly-oriented, he joined forces with such different players as Joe Lovano and Denman Maroney, Dave Liebman and Tim Berne, Sheila Jordan and Oliver Lake, and that diversity is beautifully represented here.

LAF – for Laurie Frink / Wooley Warm – for Nate Wooley / Mumbling – for Clark Terry / Another Fool – for Leise
LAF and Another Fool are based upon notated material.
All other performances are improvisations with no pre-determined parameters.
No editing or overdubs have been used on any of the tracks.

Recorded March 11 & 13, 2015 by Ed Tetreault at the Peabody Recoding Studios, Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore, MD / Mixed and Mastered by Ed Tetreault
Produced by Dave Ballou / Executive production by Pedro Costa for Trem Azul / Design by Travassos
This recording is dedicated to Leise