Wide Hive Records

Phil Ranelin Collected Works 2003-2019

Phil Ranelin’s love for the slide trombone stems from the almost royal tradition that the trombone holds in Indianapolis’ Jazz heritage: and from the slide trombone’s spiritual position within the genesis of Jazz as an indigenous American cultural treasure.

Phil Ranelin is a fourth generation Indianapolis native son and as such, he is a modern day continuum of J.J. Johnson and his “Naptown” slide trombone forefathers such as Reggie DuValle (Ranelin’s first private instructor), Tillman Buggs, Slide Hampton and others.

As a Straight Ahead innovator, Phil Ranelin continues to explore new realms of collaborations with younger generations, with the presentations of atypical configurations, and with complex-rhythmic and melodic-groove juxtapositions.

Collaborators include: Kamasi Washington, Calvin Keys, Big Black, Pharoah Sanders, Henry Franklin, Roger Glenn and more.

Celebrate Phil Ranelin's 80th Birthday in Los Angeles on May 29, 2019, at Zebulon, 8pm. Phil Ranelin & Tribe Renaissance will perform with Special Guests. Also featured will be opening sets by Black Nile and The Kabasa Drum & Dance Ensemble.

Big Black

Calvin Keys

Henry Franklin

Kamasi Washington

Phil Ranelin

Roger Glenn

Roscoe Mitchell Orchestra Littlefield Concert Hall Mills College

Roscoe Mitchell 25 Piece Orchestra Returns with an Outstanding Follow up to it's 2017 release 'Discussions.'

Recorded March 19th and 20th 2018 in the Littlefield Auditorium, Mills College, where Roscoe has held the chair of composition, once held by esteem composer Darius Milhaud for over a decade. Encompassing intriguing instrumentation with full written orchestrations by Mr Mitchell this recording contains performance by many notable musicians and is of the highest quality both sonically and musically.

Joining Roscoe’s Orchestra are three accomplished soloists: Thomas Buckner - baritone voice, Giovanni Trovalusci - flute and bass flute, and Soo Yeon Luyh - haegeum. "Rub," "Wha Wha," and "Frenzy House" were conducted by Steed Cowart and "No Nah Nah Nai" was conducted by Roscoe Mitchell.

Roscoe Mitchell

Erik Jekabson Sextet

This second album from Erik Jekabson's Sextet features nine expansive new compositions with an All-star group featuring saxophonist Dave Ellis (Charlie Hunter Trio), Guitarist Dave Mac Nab (Hamilton SF), Bassist John Wiitala, Drummer Hamir Atwal (Tuneyards) and legendary Percussionist John Santos.

Read the new rave reviews in Festival Peak and AllMusic.

Erik Jekabson

Counterweight

Throttle Elevator Music producer Gregory Howe returns with Counterweight, a collaborative offering of ten new songs following the success and critical reception of Throttle Elevator Music. Much of the T.E.M. personnel are reunited with bassist/composer Matt Montgomery and drummer Mike Hughes (both also heard on late guitarist Larry Coryell's Wide Hive release Heavy Feel) joining trumpeter Erik Jekabson (Area J, Throttle IV, and Retrorespective) and the welcome addition of Bay Area heavies Mike Ramos on guitar and Kasey Knudsen on saxophone.

A sonic departure from the Throttle project, Counterweight maintains an urgent, exploratory attitude, with intense improvisational playing and a compositional architecture both soulful and cerebral. The soaring lead trumpet performances by Jekabson anchor Counterweight in the tradition of a modern jazz trumpet ensemble while the ensemble actively navigates toward new musical terrain.

Erik Jekabson

Gregory Howe

Matt Montgomery

Mike Hughes

MIke Ramos

Discussions

New York Times: Roscoe Mitchell's Discussions is one of the 25 Best Classical Recordings of 2017.

"‘DISCUSSIONS’ (Wide Hive) Roscoe Mitchell has long been interested in teaching orchestras how to improvise, and this album reveals the fruits of his labor. A chamber orchestra digs into new arrangements of his past free-improvisation saxophone solos; the sense of fresh community they create around “I’ll See You Out There” is a testament to Mr. Mitchell’s underlying vision. S.C.W." - New York Times, December 14, 2017.

Roscoe Mitchell Discussions is an orchestral masterpiece. Four original improvisations, taken from 'Conversations,' his second release on Wide Hive Records, have been transcribed and performed by a twenty piece orchestra, complete with two orchestral improvisations and two duets with Roscoe Mitchell and mesmerizing flutist Wilfredo Terrazas.

Called an "American Iconoclast" by the New York Times, Roscoe has forged a lifetime of truly free music as composer, musician, and teacher. Currently the department chair of composition at Mills College, a position once held by Darius Milhaud, Roscoe is a founding member of the A.E.C and the A.A.C.M and has toured and performed with many of the greatest artists in Jazz.

Roscoe Mitchell

Throttle Elevator Music IV

Throttle Elevator Music IV reunites with tenor saxophonist Kamasi Washington for a fourth album, atop eleven original new compositions by the Throttle writing team (Matt Montgomery and Gregory Howe).

Kamasi's horn soars alongside virtuoso trumpet player Erik Jekabson. Also joining the band for a third record is emerging talented drummer Mike Hughes.

Available now on Amazon.

Gregory Howe

Kamasi Washington

Matt Montgomery

Mike Hughes

Heavy Feel

An American musical icon and guitar legend, Larry will always be remembered as an innovator, an incredibly adept player, and simply said a musical heavy-weight.

Throughout ‘Heavy Feel’ Larry's guitar playing is outstanding; genre crossing with ease between rock, blues, folk, and soul infused jazz.

Like many great jazz records, "Heavy Feel" was recorded in one day, and the tracks are imbued with the improvisational genius for which Mr. Coryell is known.

Joining Larry are three outstanding musicians; two in the rhythm section (Bassist Matt Montgomery and Drummer Mike "Lumpy" Hughes), and longtime musical collaborator and renowned saxophonist, George Brooks.

Larry Coryell

Matt Montgomery

Mike Hughes

Portrait In Blue

“Phil Ranelin is one of my favorite trombone players on the scene today; he has his own unique style and warm and attractive sound.” — Freddie Hubbard

“Ranelin’s horn has a throaty, unruffled quality; his soloing is well manicured and economical.” — Down Beat

Phil Ranelin