Chad McCullough: in these hills, beyond
Calligram Records

Chemistry of a particularly potent kind is evidenced by the players on this live recording, its material culled from consecutive January 2023 nights at the North Street Cabaret in Madison, Wisconsin. Though the quintet formed by trumpeter Chad McCullough for the tour was new, the long-term relationships he'd formed with each participant ensured that some degree of familiarity would be apparent from the outset. Though they're geographically 5000 miles apart, McCullough and Belgian pianist Bram Weijters have played together for fifteen years and somewhere in the vicinity of 150 concerts, so the connection there was clearly strong. McCullough's association with drummer Kobie Watkins extends back two decades, while those with guitarist Dave Miller and bassist John Christensen began shortly after the trumpeter moved from Seattle to Chicago eleven years ago. Though the first time the five physically gathered was for a rehearsal before the first show, the performances presented on the album stem from the last two nights of the tour and capture the intense telepathic connection they'd forged.

Not uncommon for live material, many of the tracks are extended travelogues, though their suite-like design never makes them feel overlong; on the contrary, time is needed for the pieces to venture where they do. Such an approach also allows for a welcome amount of unpredictability when, from a listener's standpoint, it's impossible to know where the music will go next. A melancholy element is present in the album being dedicated to McCullough's grandfather, who passed away just before the tour, but the event also reminded the trumpeter of the need to celebrate life and cherish precious moments with friends and family. In fact, one of the six McCullough tunes on the release was written for his grandfather, “Balance Wheel,” though, because Charles wasn't a huge jazz fan (“He had all of my records, and we found them still in the wrapping after he passed away”), it's closer to “a country-western vibe” than jazz per se. Regardless, it features some of McCullough's most affecting playing and also includes a memorable solo from Christensen.

As the album gets underway with “Fellowship,” it becomes clear that the trumpeter's generally more Chet Baker than Maynard Ferguson, the kind of player who can play aggressively when the music demands it (“Handwritten”) but is as content emoting at a gentler level (“Balance Wheel”). All five players demonstrate a propensity for lyricism and understatement, be it Miller's tasteful execution or the painterly approach Watkins brings to the set. The leader specifically composed “Fellowship” for each player and as such grants spotlights to all. The furious drive of the guitarist's turn is followed by a refined, classically tinged expression by Weijters that builds to a rousing climax before handing off to McCullough for a rumination that swells from florid to blazing. As the track moves to its triumphant close, it provides a terrific illustration of how powerful the unit is when all five are collectively engaged in common purpose.

Speaking of familiarity, McCullough and Weijters bring their long history with “Imaginary Folk Song” to the endeavour by resurrecting a piece from the first album they made together, 2010's Imaginary Sketches (Origin Records). A bit of an ECM vibe seeps into writing that's both folk-tinged and lyrical as McCullough unleashes a soaring, open-hearted declamation and the pianist counters with a dignified yet nonetheless swinging reply. The three non-McCullough pieces are by Weijters (the driving “Another Monster” and sparkling “Detour”) and Australian trumpeter Scott Tinkler, his “Magic Music Man” written in tribute to Kenny Wheeler and, in McCullough's hands, warmly evocative of the late Canadian musician. How wonderful to see attention given not only to Wheeler but also Tinkler, a terrific artist in his own right and someone who should be better known. Whereas Miller invests his solo with an arresting angularity, the leader's contribution is memorable for the joy he exudes in delivering the tune's singable melodies.

September 2024