Remote Recaps from ITF 2022 Day 2: Chess, Glass Bowls, and Tony Baker
Day 2 of the International Trombone Festival saw a high of 81 and a low of 58… at least in Central Ohio. The heat is real in Conway, Arkansas, and the hot air filling those sliding instruments brought the house down multiple times. While my live tweeting was getting more traction due to a trumpet post today, there was still quite a bit of trombone talk in the chat rooms of Trombone TV and surely among the 800+ trombonists in the Natural State.
- Familiar names (Karen Marston, Shelly Suminski, Amy Bowers, and Lori Stuntz) that I knew but only on an individual basis, and delighted to hear as a quartet.
- This quartet brought a wide variety of works ranging from a medley, to Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing to a bold world premiere of Lotus Flowers, written by Fatima Carolina Abramo Acuña. Definitely will be searching for many of these arrangements.
- This performance was on my radar as I was curious to hear what works would be performed.
- She did not disappoint. The Debussy was exactly what was needed.
- From my tweet: “Skocyzlas’ trombone playing is mesmerizing. Finesse with power at the right moments. Singing through the horn.”
- Thoroughly enjoyed this trio for two reasons:
- They were not a duo of trombone and horn, accompanied by piano. They were a trio for trombone, horn, and piano.
- Many fantastic pieces in this performance, but two stuck out: Gina Gillie’s Whimsy and James Naigus’ Spectra. Two compositions written by two horn players.
- Nick Finzer is probably my most listened-to Jazz artist on iTunes and Spotify (don’t quote me though…) His language always fits at just the right moment so I was curious to hear him play (most likely) familiar material in a new setting. It was exemplary.
- Finzer’s Maria and We the People were complex and fresh.
Will Porter and Performing Artist Showcase
- I briefly turned on this event and got stuck watching with a smashed trombone, water bowls, and computers on the main stage. I had to know more!
- Will Porter, newly appointed Assistant Professor of Trombone at Ithaca College, delivered Re:Hab/Re:Sound, for trombone and computer by Brad Decker. With bells in water, and a trombone thrown to the ground, I guess you had to be there (or can watch the archival footage soon!).
- This performance brought Tony Baker playing Velke’s Fantasia. It was a reminder of why he is a great trombone player. Yes, great.
- Opposing Royalties. The piece brought uncommon concepts to trombone choir music. Andrew Markel has (quite possibly) written his finest work so far with this piece for two bass trombones and trombone choir. It is programmatic in the sense of a chess match, with half the side wearing black and the others wearing white. There is movement on the stage. Hopefully, many universities will be programming this work. Soloists Martin Schippers and Brian Hecht were top-notch, and a glimpse of things to come for the Festival!
- Beyond a chess match, it was fascinating to hear an American vs European bass trombone, dueling but not knowing they were in a match for tone and articulation. Both were supreme yet stylistically different, in a very good enjoyable way.
Concerto Night with the Fountain City Brass Band
- Holy Sh88! was right, Brian Hecht! Moments before he plays a difficult solo, Hecht commented on the grand Fountain City Brass Band, and the fire they brought to John Mackey’s Fanfare for Full Fathom Five. This brass band is easily one of the absolute top brass bands in the United States, and maybe even the world.
- Hecht did something here before playing his solo that was a strong reminder of why speaking about the music is necessary for a recital, and this goes beyond program notes. Hecht wanted the audience to know what was going through his mind while he was playing so we, the audience, could join along for the journey that he is also traveling during the performance. It was memorable for exactly that reason. Thank you for that moment of humanity through Wim Bex’s Vademecum.
- Tony Baker’s rendition of Mandrake in the Corner was stylistically and technically on point. The acrobatic playing alongside his Jazz chops from yesterday shows that he is giving his all at this Festival. He is that good.
There is still time to register for the Festival.
Looking forward to Day 3 of this magnificent festival.
FYI – ITF 2023 will be in Salt Lake City, Utah. July 12-15, 2023, at the University of Utah.
That’s all for now. Hello sleep.
