Joe Fiedler’s Big Sackbut: Live In Graz

You don’t have to be a big fan of the sound of massed trombones, or even know what a sackbut is, to lose yourself in the wonderful sounds of Joe Fiedler’s Big Sackbut. Trombonist Fiedler is joined by fellow ‘bonemen’ Ryan Keberle and Luis Bonilla in this quartet. They’re usually joined by tuba player Marcus Rojas, but he couldn’t make the European tour, so on Live In Graz, we’re treated to the deep sounds and impeccable drive of Jon Sass in his stead. Fiedler got Jacob Garchik, another trombone player, to write the liner notes, and he’s contributed a learned essay about, among other topics, the history of multiple trombone ensembles in jazz, a guide to the player’s individual sounds and an appreciation of the late, great Roswell Rudd. In homage to Rudd, Big Sackbut performs three of his compositions. The multi-part Bethesda Fountain comes from the rare Japanese album Blown-bone (1979), Yankee No-how first appeared on Rudd’s Everywhere (Impulse!, 1966), and the delightfully weird Suh Blah Blah Buh Sibi comes from Flexible Flyer, a 1974 release on Arista’s Freedom imprint. No one plays these songs, except for the composer and now Fiedler, and that’s the best tribute of all. The closing Tonal Proportions is a Fiedler composition in honor of Rudd, featuring a an extended Fiedler solo over slithering trombones and Sass’ steady bass part. Beautifully recorded over two nights at a club in Graz, Austria, the band is at a peak of unity and mutual support. The format really gives the listener a chance to focus on Sass and the phenomenal job he does in the role. Who needs a drummer, anyway? I’ve been fan of the trombone in modern jazz who bought Rudd’s Impulse! album a long time ago, so I’m especially attuned to and primed for this killer ensemble. In a sense, a group like this one offers clear insight into the core conundrum of jazz: how to play together, as a section, and at the same time, maintain one’s own individual voice. That this quartet makes it sound so easy is a testament to their considerable skills and their shared sensibilities. Happily recommended. 

Multiphonics Music MM005; Joe Fiedler, Ryan Keberle, Luis Bonilla (tbn) Jon Sass (tba); Graz, Austria, December 12-13, 2019; Peekskill/ Devil Woman/ I’m In/ Bethesda Fountain/ Ways/ Yankee No-How/ Chicken/ Suh Blah Blah Buh Sibi/ Tonal Proportions; 60:15. joefiedler.com