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| Trumpeter Jon Menges drawing upon a spectrum of jazz traditions and personal inspirations Rooted deeply in the vibrant pulse of jazz, Jon Menges and his group stand as a testament to the timeless allure of eclectic mélange of standards, jazz classics, and original compositions, resonating with the heartbeat of mainstream jazz, echoing through the bustling streets of New York City. This versatile ensemble, capable of performing as an intimate trio or a lively larger group, has left indelible impressions across the city's music scene. Their performances are an integral part of the ambiance in numerous cafes, bars, restaurants, and bookstores, while their unique interpretations of swing and Latin music have made them a favorite at private functions. Leading the ensemble is Jon Menges, a multitalented artist who is equally skilled as a trumpet player as he is a composer, arranger, and music copyist. These skills, honed over years in the vibrant Chicago music scene, have allowed him to share the stage with luminaries like Cab Calloway, Lou Rawls, Neil Sadaka, Leslie Uggams, Joel Gray, Jim Nabors, Freddie Cole, and Jon Faddis. Menges' musical journey has taken him across the globe, from performing shows on the open sea with cruise ships to touring the United States with the illustrious orchestras of Russ Morgan and Guy Lombardo. He also took part in a U.S. tour of the Broadway show Copacabana, adding another note to his symphony of experiences. Menges currently free-lances in New York City, playing and writing all styles of music. A highlight has been subbing on the Radio City Rockettes Show. Jon Menges is thrilled to announce the release of his latest album, Spirit of 3, Spirit of 4. True to its title, the album showcases two ensembles — one a trio, the other a quartet — presenting an eclectic collection of twelve original Menges compositions that capture the essence of the group's musical versatility. Drawing upon a spectrum of jazz traditions and personal inspirations, Menges on trumpet and flugelhorn is joined by a talented lineup of musicians. Tracks one through six feature the dynamic interplay of Pete McCann on guitar and Evan Gregor on bass. For tracks seven through twelve, Menges is accompanied by Nathan Childers on tenor and soprano sax, Joe Fitzgerald on bass, and Robert Weiss on drums. The album starts with "Anchor in the Path, " a Latin groove-laden piece in the key of E, symbolizing an anchor for one's journey through life. This is followed by "Stairs, " an up-tempo swing number filled with musical ascents and descents reminiscent of navigating stairs. "Tree of Hope, " the third track, offers an intriguing swing piece that rhythmically oscillates between a 3/4 and 4/4 time. The fourth song, "Angelynne, " is a heartfelt ballad dedicated to Menges's daughter, while "Turning Point" laces an up-tempo swing with an enchanting Irish flavor in its intro and outro. The sixth track, "Walk Into My Heart, " is a slow, touching waltz penned for Menges's son. The second half of the album opens with "Coqui, " a composition inspired by the unique call of the coqui frog, characterized by a minor 7th interval. This is followed by "Focus, " an energetic up-tempo swing piece. "Heartbreak, " the ninth track, is a poignant ballad born during the challenging times of the pandemic. "Mina Buta, " a mellow Latin piece, gets its name from the words Menges's son uttered when he first learned to talk. The penultimate track, "The Spirit Within, " melds a slow melody with a medium swing solo section. Finally, the album culminates with "Somethin', " an up-tempo swing that takes the listener on a journey through several keys. *All Compositions by Jon Menges Spirit of 3 Trio 1. Anchor in the Path - 5:43 2. Stairs - 4:41 3. Tree of Hope - 5:43 4. Angelynne - 5:53 5. Turning Point - 5:36 6. Walk Into My Heart - 5:08 Jon Menges - trumpet, flugelhorn Pete McCann - guitar Evan Gregor - bass Spirit of 4 Quartet 7. Coqui - 5:01 8. Focus - 4:44 9. Heartbreak - 7:06 10. Mina Buta - 6:46 11. The Spirit Within - 6:45 12. Somethin' - 6:39 Jon Menges - trumpet, flugelhorn Nathan Childers - tenor and soprano sax Joe Fitzgerald - bass Robert Weiss - drums write your comments about the article :: © 2023 Jazz News :: home page |