The Usual Suspects by Ryan Kisor

31 May

Written by Lee Prosser
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Trumpet player Ryan Kisor new CD is a sumptuous melding of style and technique. Three names quickly come to mind while listening to this talented musician. They are the lyricism of Shorty Rogers, the power and beauty of Clifford Brown, and the wonderful phrasing of Idrees Sulieman.

From the up tempo first track entitled The Usual Suspects, after a brief piano intro, Ryan hits home with some delicious chops that maintain the structure of the piece. Holding close to traditional Bebop fare, Ryan winds in and out of phrase after phrase with a sense of purpose and joy. Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein's, Nobody Else But Me is played as a mid tempo ballad Ryan's lilting trumpet and the fine rhythm section of bassist John Webber, and Willie Jones III make for an inviting rendition of this classic. Other notable selections include originals from Ryan including the lovely Sheeryn's Waltz the fast tempo M.H.D. which features some excellent work from drummer Willie Jones, and an extended workout on Frank Loesser's I've Never Been In Love Before.

Ryan is certainly deserving of wider recognition, and The Usual Suspects is his first step to achieving a well deserved place in the pantheon of Bebop trumpet players.