Audio Review – Sencalar Glassman Quintet: Realization

Realization (2020)
D Clef Records
Sencalar Glassman Quintet
Altin Sencalar, Trombone
Chris Glassman, Bass Trombone
Rodney Whitaker, Bass
Zachary Adleman, Drums
Addison Frei, Paino
Nathan Borton, Guitar
Michael Dease, Trombone

The jazz trombone is an instrument that coordinates well when it performs alongside another jazz trombone. Look at the great jazz trombonists like J.J. and Kai; Pugh and Taylor; Davis and Reichenbach. Individually, the members of each of these duos had and have careers that didn’t need the complementary figure. However, when each member formed the pair, a beautiful thing was created that has stood the test of time.

Now a new generation of ambitious trombonists is climbing the ladder and paying their dues to reap great benefits. Tenor bone Altin Sencalar and bass bone Chris Glassman first met as jazz students at Michigan State University studying under the guidance of Michael Dease. Through competitions and gigs, both Sencalar and Glassman formed a musical bond that has created their debut album Realization. Starting with “D Is For Dastardly” the duo brings a hard groovin’ swing as Glassman puts the pedal down with his low notes and Sencalar along with Dease masterfully take a swing at this original composition.

Leading into the next track “In Your Own Head,” Sencalar composes a chart that would be reminiscent of a Davis/Reichenbach tune with its modern harmonies which segues into the first arranged chart of the album, an Addison Frei arrangement of Coltrane’s “Impressions.” Out of the eleven tracks, six tunes are original charts written by the duo. This shows the immensely, high-level skills in composing from Sencalar and Glassman and brings a much more personal voice to this album. The duo’s musical conversations are genuine and honest with a stellar list comping in the background – Rodney Whitaker (bass), Zachary Adleman (drums), Addison Frei (piano), with Nathan Borton (guitar). With the expertly written liner notes by jazz writer David Adler, Realization is a complete, exemplary album.

By highlighting a strong heritage of jazz trombone duos, the Sencalar Glassman Quintet successfully incorporates a new, fresh generation to the scene, and continues the unique camaraderie between a tenor trombone and a bass trombone.

Track List:

1. D is for Dastardly (Glassman)
2. In Your Own Head (Sencalar)
3. Impressions (Coltrane, arr. Frei)
4. When Reality Sets In (Sencalar)
5. Nobody Else But Me (Kern, arr. Napoleon)
6. It’s No Wonder (Glassman)
7. What Was Good Is Good (Sencalar)
8. The Maze (Hancock, arr. Davis)
9. The Big D (Dease)
10. Short Cake (Johnson, arr. Hainsworth)
11. Realization (Glassman, arr. Herbst)

Click here to purchase the album.

Sencalar Glassman Quintet.

Altin Sencalar & Chris Glassman