Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini - Auburn Whisper (2022) Hi Res

This duo of trombonist, singer, and songwriter Natalie Cressman and guitarist, composer, and vocalist Ian Faquini is relatively rare in terms of instrumental pairings, but Auburn Whisper is their second, following 2019’s successful Setting Rays of Summer. This project, recorded during the pandemic months, gave them plenty of time to develop more expansive arrangements that blend traditional Brazilian rhythms. Oh, and they had the luxury of using the studio of Cressman’s dad, the renowned trombonist Jeff Cressman, who together with the duo, serves as co-producer.

Readers of these pages who may be more familiar with Natalie Cressman for her previous stints on the jam band circuit with bands such as Trey Anastasio Band, Peter Apfelbaum, Big Gigantic, and Umphrey’s McGee may wonder why Brazilian music has captured the fancy of the trombonist who has long put those jam band years behind her. Her friendship with native Brazilian Faquini, who had relocated to northern California at the age of eight, began when the two met at Brazil Camp, held in the redwood forests, first attending with their parents when Natalie was seven and Faquini was only eight years old. Intervening years obviously had them dabbling in other genres and geographies, but Faquini was especially stricken when he met the legendary composer and guitarist, Guinga, at Brazil Camp at the age of 15 and has stayed focused on Brazilian music ever since. He and Natalie met at Brazil Camp again as adults and bonded both musically and personally.