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Samuel Blaser
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.
Awards
Prix du Musicien Européen, Académie du Jazz Paris, 2019 Rising Star Trombonist, DownBeat, 2020
Gear
KROMAT
Tags
Samuel Blaser: Routes
![Read "Routes" reviewed by Chris May](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/d94bba4db369ab893bd22824c19690c9.jpg)
by Chris May
The Jamaican trombonist Don Drummond (1934-1969), the inspiration for Routes, was in certain respects a mid-twentieth Jamaican parallel of the New Orleans cornetist Buddy Bolden (1877-1931). Bolden pioneered jazz in the US, Drummond in Jamaica. Both achieved mythic proportions during their lifetimes and both their legends endure. Both, tragically, spent their final years in what were then called insane asylums. One difference between the two musicians is that, while no recording of Bolden has survived, if indeed ...
read moreSamuel Blaser, Aka Moon, Michael Blake, La Marmite Infernale & Other New Releases
![Read "Samuel Blaser, Aka Moon, Michael Blake, La Marmite Infernale & Other New Releases" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/1ed8cf72978bf3aa71bfe5c9a56acb28.jpg)
by Ludovico Granvassu
Around the world in a playlist, which features Latin and Caribbean influeces, touches of Indian music, spiritual jazz, Brazilian aromas, microtonal atmospheres, and visceral electro-acoustic outbursts. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison Mondo Jazz Theme" 0:00 The Kevin Fingier Collective Latin Dynamite" Latin Dynamite--Single (Acid Jazz) 0:16 Host talks 3:04 Samuel Blaser Chronicles" Routes (Yellowbird/Enja) 4:46 João Selva Passarinho" Passarinho--Single (Underdog) 9:16 Host talks 13:35 Michael Blake's Chroma Nova Little Demons" Dance of the Mystic Bliss (P&M) ...
read moreSamuel Blaser: As the Sea
![Read "Samuel Blaser: As the Sea" reviewed by John Kelman](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/ff6b5f32df1f89671af45994e2019dd9.jpg)
by John Kelman
Plenty has been written about musical camaraderie--the building of long-term musical relationships and their unmistakable impact on the evolution of a group. Few, however, discuss the inevitable impact of personal relationships behind the music. Times have changed, and few jazz groups tour for more than a couple of consecutive weeks; still, hitting the road for even two weeks is sure to mean plenty of up close and personal" time amongst band members. Samuel Blaser's Boundless (hatOLOGY, 2011) was recorded during ...
read moreBlaser Ducret Bruun Trio at Hakasalmen Huvila
![Read "Blaser Ducret Bruun Trio at Hakasalmen Huvila" reviewed by Anthony Shaw](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/1ed8cf72978bf3aa71bfe5c9a56acb28.jpg)
by Anthony Shaw
Blaser Ducret Bruun Trio Hakasalmen Huvila Finnish Tour Helsinki November 14, 2022 Samuel Blaser has a glittering past, with glowing reviews of his considerable career in journals from around the globe. The performance of his trio in this modest-but-elegant salon a stone's throw from Helsinki's main railway station, alongside his old accomplices Marc Ducret on guitar and Peter Braun on drums did nothing if not bolster the virtuoso reputation he has garnered.
read moreAlban Darche: Le Gros Cube #2
![Read "Le Gros Cube #2" reviewed by Alberto Bazzurro](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/8af249a28966db09c2c0abc4e30efd09.jpg)
by Alberto Bazzurro
La passione di Alban Darche, quarantasettenne tenorsassofonista e compositore bretone, per i grossi organici è nota: ce ne siamo già occupati diverse volte, su queste colonne. Questo suo ultimo lavoro, edito come d'uso su Yolk Music, non fa eccezione: diciotto elementi, big band che più classica non si potrebbe. Per una volta (almeno rispetto al passato) anche in quanto a linguaggio espressivo-espositivo, che si riconnette mani e piedi alla grande tradizione orchestrale, inserendo i soli, che ovviamente non mancano, sopra ...
read moreSebastien Ammann's Color Wheel: Resilience
![Read "Resilience" reviewed by Alberto Bazzurro](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/fe36567935bb914ff2f7c130263056cd.jpg)
by Alberto Bazzurro
Lo svizzero Sebastien Ammann, di professione pianista e compositore, guida in questo elegante, solido album un quintetto dalle geometrie ben definite e dai percorsi espressivo-espositivi conseguenti. Magari non vi si respirerà tutta l'originalità di questa terra, ma il lavoro d'insieme (soprattutto) è ottimamente congegnato e condotto, e sul piano solistico tutto procede analogamente, col trombone di Samuel Blaser una spanna sopra gli altri (peraltro sempre all'altezza della situazione). Subito l'iniziale Yayoi" ci introduce eloquentemente entro i meandri ...
read moreSamuel Blaser: Purity of Purpose In All Things
![Read "Samuel Blaser: Purity of Purpose In All Things" reviewed by Doug Collette](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/7b777b5844392c8bc129d276a8f620ea.jpg)
by Doug Collette
One of trombonist/composer Samuel Blaser's more subtle talents is his uncanny ability to as fully distinguish himself accompanying other musicians as when he is leading theme. The prominence of a sideman is, by definition, not so great as the bandleader, producer etc, but to completely engage in the project of another is an exercise in generosity and humility as indispensable to the success of a given effort as the more tangible skills of playing an and improvising. On these three ...
read moreMusic Listening: Samuel Blaser, Atomic, R.E.M.
![Music Listening: Samuel Blaser, Atomic, R.E.M.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/1ed8cf72978bf3aa71bfe5c9a56acb28.jpg)
Source:
Music and More by Tim Niland
Samuel BlaserConsort in Motion (Kind of Blue, 2011) This is a chamber jazz album filled with hushed tones and thoughtfully designed improvisations between Samuel Blaser on trombone, Russ Lossing on piano, Thmoas Morgan on bass and Paul Motian on drums. The interaction between between Blaser's delicately smeared and articulated trombone and Motian's minimalist percussion creates a quiet, intimate album that requires and concentration and contemplation. Si Dolce è l'Tormento" and Reflections on Vespro della Beata Vergine" nudge the tempos slightly ...
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a fantastic musician who’s one of the freshest trombone talents we’ve heard in years! — Dusty Groove
An intrepid, — Nate Chinen / New York Times (Read the full review)
Primary Instrument
Trombone
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Credentials/Background
https://www.hkb-musik.ch/jazz/dozierende/samuel-blaser