Nick Finzer returns with 10 challenging original compositions on Dreams, Visions, Illusions, made possible with support from Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works program.
The trombonist, band leader and composer kept busy during the pandemic by composing an album which is on par with 2019’s stellar Cast of Characters. On this album, Finzer engages his own usual cast of characters – Alex Wintz on guitar, Lucas Pino on bass clarinet and tenor sax, Jimmy Macbride on the drums, Dave Baron on bass, and Glenn Zaleski on piano.
Their collaborations on Dreams, Visions, Illusions sound like the work of a band that has been playing together forever. (In reality, it’s been more than 10 years.) Each of its three segments is a powerful statement which adds to the cohesiveness of the project.
The Dreams section starts with “To Dream a Bigger Dream,” which finds Finzer’s trombone and Pino’s tenor taking impressive turns. The main theme is supported by the energetic rhythm backing of Macbride and Baron. The album is at cruising speed by the time we get to the ballad “Aspirations and Convictions,” which continues the Dreams theme and contains a gorgeous bass solo by Dave Baron and delicate ride cymbal work from MacBride.
“Follow Your Heart” ends the first portion of the album with renewed vigor. Glenn Zaleski attacks the piano while Nick Finzer and Pino provide melodic leads, before Finzer steps out with an outstanding solo. Wintz and Zaleski also get to shine in their respective solo sections.
The middle segment of Dreams, Visions, Illusions features the dynamic “I Thought I Took the Road Less Traveled.” The song is expansive, with a mystical charm created by the interaction of Nick Finzer’s trombone lines with Lucas Pino. Alex Wintz’s clean tones and evocative style are featured in the middle of this shuffle, as the rhythm section builds the tension before Finzer settles the matter with his solo.
The near-epic “Waking Up” is the climax of the final section, Illusions. The song features a nuanced trombone and bass opening, which builds in power. Pino quickly enters the melodic stew and Zaleski offers fine piano riffs which dance confidently with Wintz’s guitar. Pino offers a fine bass clarinet section to change the sonic texture of the track, while Jimmy Macbride gets to stretch at the climax.
“Waking Up” would have been a great ending to this LP – but there’s more, as “Now, Then and When” provides icing on top of this already delicious cake. Recorded in just one day in July 2022, Dreams, Visions, Illusions is on my must-have list for the year. It’s available via Bandcamp and at nickfinzermusic.com.
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