...a resourceful improviser who writes vivid, episodic themes.
Brooklyn-based trumpeter Darren Johnston has been involved with several highly creative music scenes over the last 2 decades, which has included recording duo albums with Fred Frith, and projects with the larger ensembles of Marcus Shelby or Larry Ochs and the OrkestRova. For Life in Time, Johnston traveled to Chicago during a lull in the pandemic to continue an artistic relationship he's developed over the last several years with saxophonist Geof Bradfield, bassist Clark Sommers, and drummer Dana Hall. The Chicago trio's long history has resulted in an empath-level rapport, obvious through this set of ten originals by Johnston & Bradfield. From the Ornette-esque, rollicking "Little Gold Fish," to the stately melody of "Lost and Found," layered over a roiling rubato undercurrent, the quartet is patient, attentive, and inspired, unraveling a set that rewards deep and repeated listenings.
"Johnston explores the limits of his instrument with a hankering for originality...running away and never looking back."
San Francisco Bay Guardian
Track Listing:
1. Asherah 7:43
2. Little Gold Fish 5:14
3. Intention And Commitment 6:58
4. Life In Time 5:49
5. Lost And Found 8:11
6. Shade 7:08
7. Guimaraes 4:25
8. Locomotive Sunflower 5:53
9. The Color Of The Wall Of The Room That Reminded Me 7:25
10. Song For Kamala 6:52
(1,2,4,6,8,9) by Darren Johnston (Darren Johnston Music)
(3,5,7,10) by Geof Bradfield (Geocentric Music)
Performers:
Darren Johnston - trumpet
Geof Bradfield - tenor/soprano sax, bass clarinet
Clark Sommers - bass
Dana Hall - drums
Production Info:
Produced by Darren Johnston
Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ken Christianson
at Pro Musica, Chicago, IL
Recorded on May 3, 2021
Cover photo by Reuben Radding
Cover design & layout by John Bishop
Reviews of Life in Time
Jazz'halo (Belgium) (Georges Tonla Briquet)
Trumpeter Darren Johnston likes variety and challenges. He recorded with both Fred Frith and Marcus Shelby while traveling to Chicago for 'Life In Time' to form a quartet with Geof Bradfield (tenor & soprano saxophones, bass clarinet), Clark Sommers (bass) and Dana Hall (drums) .
They only bring their own songs completely soaked in a narrative t ...
Midwest Record (Chris Spector)
The New York trumpeter that's traded licks with Fred Frith comes to Chicago for some Chicago driven jazz with a mainstay trio that can pretty much play anything. With a Chicago take on loft jazz leading the way, this isn't exactly clove ciggy daddio jazz but it's loaded with the kind of stuff that gets you nodding appreciatively. This is the plac ...
All About Jazz (Jack Bowers)
Brooklyn-based trumpeter Darren Johnston traveled to Chicago in May 2021 to record Life in Time with three of his favorite musicians: saxophonist Geof Bradfield, bassist Clark Sommers and drummer Dana Hall who form their own working trio in the Windy City. The generally charming studio date encompasses ten original compositions, six by Johnston, fo ...
