Goode juxtaposes the lyrical with the angular, fireworks with introspection and virtuosity with understatement.
Over his 20 albums and four decade career, Brad Goode has displayed a wildly adventurous musical aesthetic to go along with his singular virtuosic voice on trumpet. With The Snake Charmer, Goode now brings those qualities into this debut of his big band. First featuring his polytonal system of harmony on his 2008 release, Polytonal Dance Party, Goode has only expanded on it in the albums since, with this big band representing its concept and possibilities at a most vivid and dynamic level. With his inspired band of Denver-area colleagues up to the task, Goode creates a soundscape that revels in the joy of present, past, and future.
"Never sacrificing the sparkling sense of wonder that's characterized his sound from the beginning, Goode's music also reflects maturity and sureness borne of hard-won experience."
JazzTimes
Track Listing:
1 Goose Chase 8:49
2 The Snake Charmer 8:36
3 Just a Thought 8;04
4 Ornithology 5:49
5 Pentacles 3:52
6 Cabin in the Sky 5:01
7 Hypnotic Suggestion 6:50
8 I Can't Forget About You 11:28
All music composed & arranged by Brad Goode, except:
(4) composed by Charlie Parker & Benny Harris
(6) composed by Vernon Duke and John Latouche
(3,8) arranged by Noah Fulton-Beale
Performers:
Brad Goode - trumpet soloist
John Lake - trumpet
Sean Applebee - trumpet
Emily Hartrampf - trumpet
Hugh Ragin - trumpet
John Gunther - alto sax
Camden Johnson - alto sax
Carl Shultz - tenor sax
Jonas Shofler - tenor sax
Alexandra Loran - baritone sax
Sam Griffith - trombone
Grayson Stewart - trombone
Jack Bendure - trombone
Joanna Griffith - trombone
Victor Mestas-Perez - piano
Tim Wendel - guitar
Eddie Ness - bass
Paul Romaine - drums
John Davis - conductor
Production Info:
Produced by Brad Goode
Recorded, mixed & mastered by Colin Bricker
at Mighty Fine Productions, Denver, CO
Recorded on December 1 & 3, 2023
Liner notes by Neil Tesser
Brad Goode photo by Jack Sasson
Cover design & layout by John Bishop
Reviews of Polytonal Big Band: The Snake Charmer
Paris Move (Thierry De Clemensat)
*INDISPENSABLE* If the quality of the albums we received in 2024 showed steady improvement, the offerings of 2025 have, from the very start of the year, unleashed a veritable explosion of multifaceted talent. Among these, we find Brad Goode—a trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, and prodigiously gifted composer—whose artistry shines through in th ...
