Seattle-based trumpeter Chad McCullough has quickly come into his own. His addition to The Kora Band put it over the top. Last year's album The Sky Cries with Slovakian pianist Michal Vanoucek along with Portland bassist Dave Captein, and Seattle's Matt Jorgensen (drums) and Mark Taylor (sax) was well received.
On the heels of that comes a collaboration with Antwerp-based pianist Bram Weijters which shows off McCullough's warm lyricism in a set of tunes that bear resemblance to the ECM sound and the band Oregon. That is fine territory in which to be operating. Much needed territory.
There is little enough pure beauty in the world. This album adds to it without succumbing to shark-jumping cuteness.
The two are joined by Chuck Deardorf on bass and John Bishop on drums.
It's not all ethereal and dreamy. "Free as Poetry" is a sprightly up-tempo piece in which McCullough shines and Weijters provides the funk.
McCullough is one to watch. The next several years of his career will be fun.