Jonathan Finlayson’s music has a clarity of sound and atmosphere and keeps you on the edge of your seat at the same time. The American trumpeter knows how to make challenging music accessible, which he has already shown in the bands of Steve Coleman, Henry Threadgill and Steve Lehman. Like their music, his own compositions are also full of surprising twists and turns. On his most recent album he establishes a logical connection between various elements including rhythms of Ghana, Afro-Cuban melodies and counterpoint.

Sicilian Defense, the name of Jonathan Finlayson’s band, originates from chess, another important source of inspiration for the musician who became the number 1 Rising Star Trumpeter in the 2014 Downbeat Critics Polls. Moving Still is the follow-up of his first album Moment and the Message, which was voted the top album by a debut artist in the 2013 NPR Jazz Critics Poll.

‘It’s not easy to create an original sound that “makes it new” and “keeps it traditional” at once, but after years of work alongside icons this trumpeter is there’ (Pitchfork).

‘It’s tight-knit music, but seductively relaxed, too’ (The Guardian).

Moving Still
Jonathan Finlayson trumpet and composition, Miles Okazaki guitar, Andy Milne piano, John Hébert double bass, Craig Weinrib drums