Ingrid Jensen, one of my favorite trumpet players, has one of the most distinctive sounds on the instrument today. I've described her approach to the horn as "vocal," and she's said she's just trying to sing her ideas through the instrument. This is not a new concept, but when I listen to her playing, I hear it in action.
Her technical command of trumpet is matched by her creative and emotional depth in ways that are thrilling to hear. Her compositions and improvisations take this listener on a journey, and any record with Ingrid on it is going to have moments of brilliance for sure.
She's released a number of wonderful albums as a leader and played on many other's albums as well. Today's song is the title track to her album, "At Sea." It's an original composition, and this version was recorded live with the band of longtime friends and collaborators, Gary Versace on piano, Lage Lund on guitar, Matt Clohsey on bass and her husband Jon Wikan on drums. While you're listening, see if you can't hear the story, and imagine lyrics, which Jensen did write but which don't appear in the song.
Technique, tone, expression — Ingrid has it all! I've been fortunate to get the chance to spend time with and take lessons from her, and I'm constantly inspired by her work ethic and the way she approaches the horn and the music.
I have a couple bonus tracks for you, featuring Ingrid as a sideman. The first is from Darcy James Argue's Secret Society. This is a song called "Transit," which is a feature for Ingrid on flugelhorn. (I've already used this song as a SOTD, so you can check it out).
Next we have Ingrid playing trumpet behind tenor saxophonist Steve Treseler from his new album, "Center Song." This is a wonderful record throughout, with Dan Kramlich on piano, Jon Hamar on bass and Steve Korn on drums.
Last but not least, here's the all-star group The Mosaic Project led by drummer Terri Lynn Carrington with Jensen, Tinke Postman on sax, Helen Sung on keyboards and Esperanza Spalding on bass. This burner is called "Mosaic Triad":
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Jason Parker is a Seattle-based jazz trumpet player, educator and writer. His band, The Jason Parker Quartet, was hailed by Earshot Jazz as “the next generation of Seattle jazz.” Find out more about Jason and his music at jasonparkermusic.com.
