Routes Samuel Blaser, Lee "Scratch" Perry

• 1 Silver Dollar 04:35
• 2 Rainy Days 06:27
• 3 Thoroughfare 04:36
• 4 Green Island 07:03
• 5 Chronicles 04:32
• 6 Beautiful Bed of Lies 05:03
• 7 Lady Rawlinson 05:22
• 8 Rainy Days Dub 06:27
• 9 Green Island Remix 07:03
• 10 End of the Beginning 03:08
• Total Runtime 54:16

Info for Routes

Inspired by the legacy of Don Drummond, trombonist Samuel Blaser gathered a gang of greats to create the ultimate Jamaican repertoire. ROUTES is the result of their musical camaraderie, anchored in the musical tradition of the island and firmly rooted in jazz.

With his brand new group consisting of Alex Wilson on keys, Hammond and melodica, Ira Coleman on bass, Dion Parson on drums, Michael Blake on tenor sax and Soweto Kinch on alto and vocals, one could argue that Blaser has successfully rounded up the ultimate lineup to present Jamaican jazz to a larger audience. But Blaser wouldn’t be Blaser if he didn’t ask himself: why stop there?! And thus, the ambitious musician and winner of the 2019 European Jazz Award as well as the 2021 Downbeat Magazine Critics Poll (“Rising Star Trombone”) decided to expand his efforts even further.

ROUTES features a blend of Don Drummond classics and reggae, ska and jazz-infused originals, with guest performances by Carroll Thompson, dubs by the late-but-great Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, and a full-on t-bone section for a newly arranged version of Drummond’s Green Island. It is a project that breathes Blaser’s hallmark grace, humor, and instrumental mastery, while celebrating the input, background and talents of his musical companions. ROUTES is an adventure, a party and a celebration, and you’re invited.

Samuel Blaser, trombone
Alex Wilson, piano, Hammond organ, melodica
Alan Weekes, guitar
Ira Coleman, double bass and baby bass
Dion Parson, drums
Soweto Kinch, alto saxophone, vocals
Michael Blake, tenor saxophone
Edwin Sanz, percussion, drums
Additional musicians:
Carroll Thompson, vocals
Lee “Scratch” Perry, vocals, dub
Steve Turre, shells, trombone
John Fedchock, trombone
Glenn Ferris, trombone
Johan Escalante, trombone
Jennifer Warthon, bass trombone
Heiri Känzig, double bass

Samuel Blaser
is a 21st century trombonist. Born in 1981 in the town of La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Swizterland, he emerged professionally after graduating from conservatory in 2002. During the next five years he developed associations with the Vienna Art Orchestra and the European Radio Big Band, was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, pursued graduate studies at the Purchase College Conservatory of Music, State University of New York, and recorded his first album as a leader, the Samuel Blaser Quartet’s 7th Heaven (Between The Lines). Since 2009 he has been based in Berlin.

The foundations of Blaser’s art are the breadth of his influences, his technical fluency, and the clarity with which he applies these assets. He grew up learning classical and Swiss folk music as well as jazz, and his projects include jazz-informed investigations of operatic, rock stead, and blues music. He understands that growth is relational, and has sought out and sustained relationships with veteran and senior musicians, such as Pierre Favre, John Hollenbeck, Gerry Hemingway, Marc Ducret, Paul Motian, Oliver Lake, and Daniel Humair, all of whom have helped him to develop his own sense of who he is. He exercises the full range of the trombone’s possibilities, including fluid melodic statements, emphatic rhythmic punctuations, earthy interjections, and abstract sound effects, with a clear sense of purpose. He approaches each endeavor as a leader and collaborator with a clear sense of purpose, knowing what he wants to accomplish and what each musical situation requires from him. Blaser’s responsiveness is never more evident than in his solo performances, which use his bold sound to draw out the qualities of both architectural and environmental settings.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced all musicians to suspend touring. But Blaser’s response illustrated another aspect of his resourcefulness. While he was off the road, he set up an internet label, Blaser Music, which issued its first four releases during the spring and summer. And as soon as Europe began to reopen, he returned to the stage, playing concerts with Samuel Blaser Quartet, Humair Blaser Känzig, and as a sideman for Michel Portal and Marc Ducret.

This album contains no booklet.