Audrey Ochoa - Frankenhorn (2020)

Edmonton trombonist Audrey Ochoa is both a bandleader and a hired horn for everything from ska-punk acts to rock, pop and Latin combos. Her debut album Trombone and Other Delights (2013) hit No. 1 on the Earshot jazz charts, and the followup Afterthought (2017) broke into the Top 20 in the U.S. jazz charts. Now she’s back with the amusingly named Frankenhorn.

Originally intended to be a duo session with Ochoa and pianist Chris Andrew which would get a heady remix courtesy of DJ Battery Poacher, Ochoa rethought the project during production. Adding in strings and a rhythm section, the eight-tune recording moves and shifts all over the map.

Throughout it all, her clean, strong and melodic trombone cuts through. It’s not surprising that she has numerous awards for her playing. Here are five things to know about Frankenhorn.