Rabble Without A Cause, September 18: Adam O’Farrill’s new releases
Adam O’Farrill is a trumpet player who is having a moment in the spotlight - appearing at the Montreal Jazz Festival this year, and appearing on a number of new releases, including his own as leader
Adam O’Farrill comes from a long line of Latin jazz players and composers in his family. His grandfather, Chico O’Farrill, was a band leader and composer. I featured him on a show on In A Mellow Tone back in August. His father, Arturo O’Farrill, is a piano player and also a composer. Adam O’Farrill has burst on the scene with his own new release, as well as appearing on at least four new releases as a sidesperson. On Wednesday’s show we will delve into this recent work.
O’Farrill throws lots of little curve balls in his compositions, scraps of unison melody to end or launch a solo, cues for the band to switch rhythms. The overall effect is of a band that’s always concentrating. Free but not particularly interested in abandon.
Late last year, Anna Webber released Shimmer Wince, with O’Farrill on trumpet. Here’s a live performance by her, with O’Farrill, from last September.
Early this year he appeared on the new release from Mary Halvorson, Cloudward.
More recently, he appears on the new Patricia Brennan release, Breaking Stretch. Here is a video of the recording of the track Palo de Oros.
Another new release featuring O’Farrill is the new album from Micah Thomas, Mountains.
Micah Thomas is on the piano, Immanuel Wilkins on alto saxophone Nicole Glover on tenor saxophone, Caleb Smith on trombone, Kanoa Mendenhall on bass and Kweku Sumbry on drums.
We will end the show with some tracks from O’Farrill’s new release HUESO.
On this release he is accompanied by:
Xavier Del Castillo - Tenor Saxophone
Walter Stinson - Double Bass
Zack O'Farrill - Drums & Percussion
You can listen to the show live in Ottawa at 93.1FM on the radio, or online at CKCUFM.com. The show will also be available for on demand streaming.