Michael Dease - Relentless (2014)

Trombonist Michael Dease is indeed "Relentless" with the debut of his own big band and his first album for Posi-Tone Records. Seizing the moment to stand out front, Dease conducts his topnotch crew of players through a series of new compositions and original arrangements. Featuring performances by several of the brightest new players on the New York jazz scene today, including Tim Green, Todd Bashore, Sharel Cassity, Linda Oh, and Ulysses Owens, Jr., along with additional contributions from veteran players like Wycliffe Gordon, Seneca Black, and Tom "Bones" Malone, the entire session stays insightfully straight ahead, steadily swinging, and refreshingly melodic throughout. Michael Dease is clearly one of the rising stars in jazz today, a trombonist at the very top of his game, and a "Relentless" creative force for jazz fans to keep their eyes fixed upon for years to come.