Blues, Ballads and Beyond

Blues, Ballads and Beyond is the tenth classical/new music studio album from trombonist Mark Hetzler on the Summit Records label.[1] It was critically acclaimed by Classical Musical Sentinel, "He can shape, flex, caress, torture, stress, accent and animate notes on the fly and bring anything he plays to life. All the pieces on this new CD were well chosen to showcase his command of the instrument, and the range of styles he easily slips into is impressive"[2] Numerous prominent performing artists and composers are featured on the recording to include Michael Colgrass, Enrique Crespo, Daniel Schnyder, Robert Suderburg, John Stevens, and Jack Cooper.

Blues, Ballads and Beyond:
Influences Outside the Concert Hall
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 6, 2015
Recorded2012/2013, Mills Concert Hall, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 2011-2013
GenreClassical, Chamber Music, New Music, instrumental, Jazz
Length1:18:49
LabelSummit Records
ProducerMark Hetzler
Mark Hetzler chronology
THEY SAID...
(2014)
Blues, Ballads and Beyond:
Influences Outside the Concert Hall

(2015)
Dig
(2016)
cat. #, Summit Records DCD 668

Background

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Blues, Ballads and Beyond features jazz and commercially influenced music by contemporary classical composers. The list of composers for the recording is diverse and to include Michael Colgrass, Enrique Crespo, Daniel Schnyder, Robert Suderburg, John Stevens, and Jack Cooper. American Record Guide is quoted to say Mark Hetzler is “..one of the world’s great trombone players” and the recording helps to demonstrate his prowess on the instrument. Much like his past recordings with Summit Records, this recording has a wide range of musical influences and was completed in numerous recording sessions throughout 2011-2013.

Track listing

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All tracks are written by noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Mystic with a Credit Card"Michael Colgrass7:15
2."Javier's Dialog"Dennis Llinás6:37
3."Improvisation No. 1"Enrique Crespo6:25
4."Sonata for Trombone and Piano, Mov. I - Blues"Daniel Schnyder6:20
5."Sonata for Trombone and Piano, Mov. II - An American Ballad" 4:18
6."Sonata for Trombone and Piano, Mov. III - Below Surface" 1:39
7."Night Set for Trombone and Piano: Mov I. Cry, Man"Robert Suderburg3:09
8."Night Set for Trombone and Piano: Mov II. It's Been A Long, Long Time" 6:46
9."Night Set for Trombone and Piano: Mov III. Brother Devil" 5:42
10."Doolallynastics"Brian Lynn8:45
11."Melancholy Mood"John Stevens7:38
12."Sonata: Mov. I Mambo"Jack Cooper3:06
13."Sonata: Mov. II Solo" 4:48
14."Sonata: Mov. III Naningo" 6:23

Recording Sessions

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Personnel

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Musicians

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  • Trombone: Mark Hetzler
  • Percussion: Anthony Di Sanza
  • Marimba: Sean Kleve
  • Vibraphone: Brett Walter
  • Vibraphone: Joseph Murfin
  • Piano/keyboards: Vincent Fuh
  • Piano: Marthe Fischer
  • Narration: Buss Kemper
  • Bass: Nick Moran
  • Drums (set): Todd Hammes
  • Congas: Yorel Lashley

Production

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Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Classical Music SentinelHighly favorable[2]
All About Jazz     [3]
#2 of Top 25
"Recommended" Album Reviews
2016[4]
ITA JournalHighly favorable[5]
 
"Improvisation No. 1" composed by internationally known artist/composer Enrique Crespo is featured on Blues, Ballads and Beyond

"Mind boggling is how well he plays the trombone...Unbelievable! Remarkable playing. What being a true musician is all about."

Jean-Yves Duperron - Classical Music Sentinel[2]

"Trombonist Mark Hetzler has assembled a collection of contemporary trombone compositions that brighten the light on this often ill-considered instrument on his Blues, Ballads, and Beyond: Influences Outside the Concert Hall."

C. Michael Bailey - All About Jazz[3]

"Listeners seeking excellent interpretations of the familiar works on this album with find it. Those seeking newer works with influences beyond the concert hall will be even better served by this album."

Jeremy Kolwinska - ITA Journal[5]

Release history

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Region Date Label Format
Canada[6] November 6, 2015 Summit Records CD, digital download
United Kingdom
United States[7]
Japan[8] November 10, 2015
Europe (Germany)[9] November 19, 2015

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Blues, Ballads and Beyond, Summit Records
  2. ^ a b c Duperron, Jean-Yves. Classical Music Sentinel. December 2015
  3. ^ a b All About Jazz, review by C. MICHAEL BAILEY, March 5, 2016
  4. ^ All About Jazz #2 of Top 25 "Recommended" Album Reviews: 2016
  5. ^ a b Kolwinska, Jeremy. Review of Blues, Ballads and Beyond: Influences Outside the Concert Hall, ITA Journal, October 1, 2016, pp. 63-64
  6. ^ "Blues, Ballads and Beyond (2015)". Amazon.com (Canada).
  7. ^ "Blues, Ballads and Beyond". Amazon.
  8. ^ "Blues, Ballads and Beyond (2015)". Amazon.com (Japan).
  9. ^ "Blues, Ballads and Beyond (2015)". Amazon.com (German).
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