Charles Rumback, “In The New Year” (2015): Something Else! exclusive stream

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(feature photo credit: Jacob Hand)

Trumpet great Ron Miles calls Charles Rumback “one of the most musical drummers on the scene right now,” a point made convincingly on the title cut from Rumback’s upcoming album In The New Year. We’re debuting his alluring song above, performed by a new quintet he’s leading full of Chicago’s best up-and-coming players from the town’s vibrant progressive jazz community.

With his brushes, Charles Rumback pushes along this gentle rhapsody with such finesse you don’t even notice he’s the one guy playing free. In the meantime, Jason Stein’s bass clarinet colors the melody in darker shade while alto saxophonist Caroline Davis offers a lighter shade and they blend their brands in a perfect partnership as this performance rises to its chorus.

With quiet comportment, Jeff Parker (guitar) and John Tate (bass) ground Rumback’s melancholy strain and set the stage for everyone else’s pared-down passion. And in less than three minutes, the song subsides without fanfare.

Look for Charles Rumback’s In The New Year disc (ears&eyes Records) to go on sale December 4th, 2015 with pre-orders commencing on November 6.

Visit Charles Rumback’s website for more details.

S. Victor Aaron