Saturday 14 May 2011
AMBROSE AKINMUSIRE QUINTET
Ambrose Akinmusire trumpet, Walter Smith III tenor saxophone, Sam Harris piano, Harish Raghavan bass, Justin Brown drums
Trumpet player Ambrose Akinmusire is a valuable new artist on the Blue Note label’s roster of jazz artists. Akinmusire (pronounce Ah-Kin-Moo-See-Ray) has a beautiful and commanding tone. He respects tradition while exploring new ways. Aside from jazz he takes his cue from the emotional music of Chopin and the challenging pop of Björk. His debut album When the Heart Emerges Glistening was produced by pianist Jason Moran. ‘With a chameleonetic tone that can sigh, flutter or soar, Akinmusire sounds less like a rising star than one that was already at great heights and just waiting to be discovered’ (LA Times).