MSU Jazz Trombones: Spartan Strong

4 STARS

Michael Dease, widely admired as one of the world's foremost jazz trombonists but rather less-known as an educator, dons his professorial garb on Spartan Strong, supervising a splendid session by a special corps of undergrads (and students in his trombone studio) who together comprise the MSU (Michigan State University) Jazz Trombones, twenty-three members in all when one counts Dease and the group's half-dozen bass trombones.

Dease lets the students have full rein, soloing only twice (on Steve Turre's smoothly walking "Groove Blues" and Oscar Pettiford's fast-paced and dazzling closing theme, "Blues in the Closet"). There are brief respites from the trombone avalanche courtesy of guest artists Benny Benack III (who sings on the standard "It Could Happen to You") and alto saxophonist Sharel Cassity, who delivers a nimble solo on her own composition, "Song of Those Who Seek."

Otherwise, it is all trombones all the way, backed on every number save two by a top-class rhythm section led by pianist Xavier Davis and including bassist Jared Beckstead-Craan and drummer Keith Hall. Trombonist Altin Senclair wrote the fiery, Latin-flavored opening number, "Huesos con Clave," which leads to the quieter "Remembrance" (showcasing Paolo Muller-Santiago) and Thelonious Monk's strong and time-shifting "Evidence." The blues takes its first bow on Slide Hampton's charismatic "Frame for the Blues" before all-out chaos erupts on Randy Brecker's "Some Skunk Funk." After Benack's vocal, the 'bones recreate note-for-note Geoffrey Keezer's solo-piano version of "The Nearness of You" with trombonist Nanami Haruta sitting in for Keezer.

Cassity is up next, using her impressive arsenal to set the stage for Hampton's chorale-like arrangement of Monk's classic "'Round Midnight." The blues returns with "Groove Blues," steps aside for Claudio Roditi's graceful and charming "Alfitude," then wraps things up with Benny Golson's impassioned "Blues After Dark" and Pettiford's "Blues in the Closet," sandwiched around trombonist Michael Davis' eloquent anthem, "Spartan Strong."

As noted, there are almost two dozen trombones in the lineup at one time or another, many of whom have at least one chance to solo, and no one is less than admirable, nor are the 'bones when playing in unison, which is more often the case. Dease not only had them well-rehearsed and (literally) ready to rumble, he also gave them an excellent playlist well-suited to underscore their individual and collective talents. The result is a brash and trombone-heavy session that does not seem in any way abnormal or irksome, thanks to Dease's superb game plan and the enthusiasm and commitment of the remarkable MSU Jazz Trombones.