East-West Trumpet Summit

The trumpet has long been an iconic symbol of the music we fondly call Jazz. With East-West Trumpet Summit, you double your fun--if you happen to be a brass lover--as Big Apple veteran Ray Vega joins longtime buddy Thomas Marriott (representing the West Coast and already with several titles under the Origin logo to his credit). Backing these artists is the crackerjack rhythm section of pianist Shook, house bassist Johnson and, once again Jorgensen returning to the drum throne. Other than the opening standard, the Monk/Ellington ballad medley and Horace Silver's "Juicy Lucy," there are three works from Marriott and a pair from Vega, including the blazing burner "It's A New York Thing." Shook's turns are also impressive and makes one wonder why Origin doesn't do a session under his leadership. But it's the trumpet artistry of the co-leaders that steals the show and reminds this writer of much-missed Candoli Brothers. Highly recommended to one and all.