Podcast 940: A Conversation with Marshall Gilkes

Marshall Gilkes keeps one foot firmly in the world of jazz, and another in the classical world. On any given night in New York, you might find the trombonist playing with the New York Philharmonic, filling in a Big Band brass section, or soloing with a salsa band. He is in demand as part of the Maria Schneider Orchestra and the WDR Big Band, as well as the Slide Monsters Trombone Quartet, and leading his own projects This has led to his producing six critically acclaimed albums, along with his latest work, Cyclic Journeys (Alternate Side Records).

Something of a throwback to the “Third Stream” compositions of the late Fifties, Cyclic Journeys finds Marshall writing for jazz quartet – himself on trombone, Aaron Parks on piano, Linda May Han Oh on bass, Johnathan Blake on drums – as well as classical brass octet - Brandon Ridenour-trumpet, piccolo trumpet, flugelhorn, Ethan Bensdorf-trumpet, flugelhorn, Tony Kadleck-trumpet, flugelhorn, Adam Unsworth-horn, Joseph Alessi-trombone, Demondrae Thurman-euphonium, Nick Schwartz-bass trombone, and the inimitable Marcus Rojas-tuba. The resulting long-form composition moves deftly through musical styles, while refusing to be put into any one musical box. Take the tune “Genre Battles,” which offers contrasting brass octet sections against the jazz quartet absolutely burning over Rhythm Changes.

Podcast 940 is my conversation with Marshall, as we discuss the difference in writing and arranging for, and playing with, jazz and classical players. Marshall also talks about his early days as a budding musician, following in his father’s footsteps on the trombone, but carving out his own path to acclaim.