Scrapbook

The Erick Storckman Septet is a free-wheeling four-horn ensemble that hails from the tradition of classic ensembles led by Benny Golson, Oliver Nelson and Horace Silver, while continuing to explore new ground. The group features the compositions of NYC trombonist Erick Storckman, who is a featured composer and soloist with the critically acclaimed Diane Moser's Composers Big Band, and is the lead trombonist with Grammy-Nominated Papo Vazquez and The Might Pirate Orquestra. Ska fans may remember Erick from his years as the trombonist and horn-arranger for The Toasters. On 'Scrapbook', is Erick is joined by Rob Henke on trumpet (Ray Barretto, Diane Moser's CBB, Dr. Nerve, Illuminati Walter Thomson, Spirit Of Life Ensemble), Marty Fogel on tenor Sax and clarinet (Don Cherry, Gerry Mulligan, Diane Moser's CBB), Tom Colao on alto sax (Hubert Laws, Chuck Mangione, Slide Hampton, Diane Moser's CBB), pianist Mitch Schechter (Vinnie Cutro, Aaron Alexander, Pete Furlan), bassist Mike Carino (Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Sandy Sasso), and drummer Barbara Allen (Diane Mosers' CBB). The following are excerpts from some reviews of quot;Scrapbookquot; (Twin Rivers Records) by the Erick Storckman Septet: quot;Jazz trombonist/composer Erick Storckman is the kind of artist who can fall too easily between the cracks in a 21st century musical landscape divided up between Wynton Marsalis-school classicists and unrelentingly avant-garde free jazzers. SCRAPBOOK stands as proof that contemporary jazz composition is far from a lost art. Storckman is equally adept at penning a spare, elegant ballad (quot;The Golden Boyquot;), a churning, bluesy burner (quot;Purifyquot;), or a hard-bopper (quot;This Thing Called Madnessquot;).quot; quot;It doesn't hurt that Storckman surrounds himself with a stellar group of New York jazzers. Trumpeter Rob Henke's light-hearted fluidity, sax man Mary Fogel's marriage of intellect and burning passionquot;...aid his cause greatly. quot; SCRAPBOOK provides a candid snapshot of the artist in motion, standing still just long enough for you to catch a glimpse of his muse at work.quot; Muze.com quot;His trombone playing is impressive as is his mellifluous tone.quot; quot;(Scrapbook) makes an emotional connection on a personally revealing level, and has a dash of hot sauce put in for good measure.quot; Audiophile Voice quot;Storckman's tone and control on the trombone are delicious, smooth and velvety...... His lyric style on the ballad quot;Barbaraquot; is particularly beautiful, somewhat reminiscent of Urbie Green, while the plunger-mute solos on the light-hearted shuffle quot;Barefoot Dancequot; fairly brim with good humor. His compositional prowess is impressive; his tunes have grace, balance and flow, and his melodies are frequently hummable......(Scrapbook shows) not only promise, but also a considerable amount of delivery. I'm looking forward to hearing more of Erick Storckman, especially his horn, composing and arranging.quot; 52nd St Jazz quot;Breathtaking balladryquot; The New York Times.