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"Grace at the Gavel or Grace at the Gallows" animation by Peter Orr

Forward

by Chad McCullough

supported by
Dragonjazz
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Dragonjazz Trumpetist Chad McCullough fronts a quartet of some of Chicago’s best musicians. Together, they bring passion and creativity to theses six original compositions while executing them with a real melodic sensibility that unlocks emotion. The more reflective pieces, like Oak Park or Water Tower Sunset, act as a valuable calling card for this accomplished quartet but the whole album is both persuasive and convincing. Favorite track: Oak Park.
freejazzy
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freejazzy Sophisticated stuff. Love the trumpet tone and lines and the effortlessly and delicately moving ryhythm section. Lots to discover while listening and dreaming. Favorite track: Oak Park.
joshuajernmusic
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joshuajernmusic Beautiful writing and superb playing- a fantastic album!
grocek
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jakebjazz
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Michael Stevens
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oh!! TwinTail
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Johannes Wallmann
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Casey Nielsen
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亮介 柿崎
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dj.inc.
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Heinz Boeck
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fitzme
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LyleTRAIcrocodile
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Keith Church
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Jeff Kliment
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Geza Nemeth
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Idit Shner
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Lamine
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Michael Philips
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World of Echo
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begro
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elmo
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Panagiotis Panagakis
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blue_lamps
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josiahmarineau
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Wandering Fox
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drew
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Trevor Helminski
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Andrew Schamess
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Wayne McCoy
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Donneen
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Anthony Williams
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Jonathan Cutler
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Gary McMahon
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Colin Howells
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  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    33rpm glory! A numbered and hand-signed limited edition full-length LP. Pressed in Chicago, on blue-green vinyl and designed for your high-fidelity audio enjoyment.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Forward via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days
    edition of 250 

      $22 USD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $6 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Limited run 4-panel CD featuring the photography of Thomas Ferrella. Signed!

    Includes unlimited streaming of Forward via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days

      $9 USD or more 

     

  • Get the CD + Colored 12" LP + digital download. Together. At last. Never ever be without this music on any device you own or will hope to own later.

    BONUS! Ordering this set also gets you a free digital download of the 2009 release 'Dark Wood, Dark Water'

    Includes unlimited streaming of Forward via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days

      $25 USD or more 

     

1.
November Lake 05:39
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2.
Oak Park 09:43
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3.
Gentle 05:49
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4.
Grace at the Gavel or Grace at the Gallows 06:41 video
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5.
Focal Point 07:12
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6.
Water Tower Sunset 05:39
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about

"Best Jazz Recordings of 2020" / Chicago Tribune

"It is both heartwarming, and needed during these stressful pandemic times." -Jeff Krow / Audiophile Audition

"Forward is small group playing at its finest." Top 20 Jazz Releases of 2020 -Textura.org

Best Jazz on Bandcamp, October 2020

"With a deep, warm sound that recalls the late, great Kenny Wheeler, McCullough has an understated approach that belies a strong tug in every line he plays." - BBC Music Magazine

"McCullough's finest recording to date. 4.5 Stars" -Allaboutjazz.com

"Best Releases of 2020" Dan McClenaghan / Allaboutjazz.com

Outside in Music is thrilled to announce the October 16th release of Forward, the new album from trumpeter and composer Chad McCullough. On his 8th release as a leader, McCullough has assembled a top-flight rhythm section made up of three of Chicago’s trailblazing musical voices: pianist Rob Clearfield, bassist Matt Ulery and drummer Jon Deitemyer. Renowned producer Ryan Cohan augments the affair by contributing additional programming and part-writing to Forward; creating ambient spheres for McCullough’s lyrical compositions to live within and augmenting the ensemble in post-production. The phenomenal musical interchange of the ensemble gives this cohesive album the feel that its sum is much larger than its unique parts.

Forward is McCullough’s first release under his own name in over a decade. Since releasing his debut Dark Wood, Dark Water in 2009, the formidable trumpeter has appeared as co-leader on two albums with the Spin Quartet, made up of a Geof Bradfield, Clark Sommers and Kobe Watkins as well as a series of five albums with Belgian pianist Bram Weijters, including 2018’s 25-movement opus Pendulum, and with the Slovakian pianist Michal Vanoucek. As a sideman, McCullough has appeared on dozens of projects including ones led by Ulery, Dustin Laurenzi, Shawn Maxwell, The Kora Band, James Davis and more. Now, McCullough is excited to step out and present his original compositions and arrangements in the company of Chicago’s best. “I’ve been doing so much collaborative work, and wanted to make a different kind of statement with this release. Not that this isn’t collaborative – in many ways it’s more so, but I wanted to write music about places or experiences with meaning to me. I wanted to showcase the ensemble and give the trumpet a space to breathe in the middle of it all.”

Forward takes its cues – musically and thematically – from McCullough’s adopted city of Chicago. 7 years ago, McCullough relocated to the Windy City from his native Seattle in hopes of joining the vibrant and creative music scene. “The music coming out of Chicago really resonated with me. When I moved here, I immediately felt like I was where I was supposed to be.” The trumpeter was met with a warm welcome and started gigging the day after he landed, often alongside the musical heroes that inspired his move in the first place. One of those heroes was Matt Ulery, who McCullough had long admired even before he relocated. To date, McCullough has appeared on two of the bassist’s albums (Festival, 2016 and Sifting Stars, 2018, Woolgathering), and they have performed countless gigs together including a particularly memorable set at the Chicago Jazz Festival in 2018.

One of the highlights of Forward is the seamless interplay between the rhythm section, anchored by drummer Jon Deitemyer. “I always feel both supported and challenged when I play with him,” said McCullough, adding that “I completely trust his intention and intuition.” Pianist Rob Clearfield, who recently relocated to Paris and McCullough fondly refers to as a “wizard,” is equally striking on the project. Ulery, Deitemyer and Clearfield have played together in various incarnations steadily over the past decade, lending an almost familial characteristic to the date. Despite joining this rhythm section for only a handful of live dates over the years, McCullough felt right at home with them in the studio, and the cohesive results borne on Forward give the impression that this band has been playing together for ages. Perhaps it helps that much of the music was written specifically with these particularly players in mind.

“Ryan Cohan really is the not-so-secret weapon of this project,” McCullough exclaims, “He’s such a brilliant human being, and when he asked if he could be involved with this I was thrilled. His writing takes these tunes over the top, and his arrangements brought things to life in a whole new way. He truly made this project what it is, and I can’t say enough about his patience and contributions.” Ryan notes “From my first time hearing and playing with Chad, his big beautiful horn sound, forward thinking artistry and total commitment to the music greatly impressed me. So, when the opportunity presented itself to work on Chad’s latest album, Forward, in multiple capacities – especially as co-producer collaborating closely with him on realizing his vision for the recording – of course, I was thrilled to be involved.”

credits

released October 16, 2020

Produced by Chad McCullough & Ryan Cohan
All music composed by Chad McCullough (Chad McCullough Music, ASCAP)
Additional arrangements and orchestrations on tracks 2, 4, and 6 by Ryan Cohan

Recorded April 4th, 2019 at Transient Studios by Vijay Tellis-Nayak
Assisted by Tyler Rice
Mixed by Ryan Cohan
Mastered by Brian Schwab

Photography by Thomas Ferrella, www.ferrella.com
Layout and design by Chad McCullough

This project is partially supported by an Individual Artist Program Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, as well as a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.

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Chad McCullough Chicago, Illinois

Dan McClenaghan writes, trumpeter Chad McCullough "is a rare instrumentalist who makes each note sound as if it were imbued with a deeper meaning. Certainly a player with great chops, his approach is one that is measured and deliberate, often introspective, sometimes gorgeously melancholic, and one that employs a continuity of mood and atmosphere that the best recordings have.” ... more

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