Dirty Revival Summer Tour!

Moar tour dates!!!

http://www.dirtyrevival.com/tour/

Dirty Revival Spring Tour!

Dirty Revival’s Spring Tour is upon us! Upcoming shows all through Washington, Oregon, and California! Special stops in San Diego, LA, and San Francisco, where we’re playing the Fillmore! Check the link for specific dates and tickets.
​http://www.dirtyrevival.com/tour/

Jeff Baker’s Phrases CD release party feat. Darrell Grant, Brian Blade!

Very excited to be playing trumpet for the CD release party for Jeff Baker’s Phrases! This will be an incredible show! Featuring Brian Blade, Darrell Grant, Clark Sommers, Thomas Barber, John Nastos, Geof Bradfield, & Gregory Uhlmann

Wednesday, March 7th 2018, 7:30pm
Mission Theater
1624 NW Glisan
Portland, OR 97209

All ages welcome.

https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/2644431/jeff-baker-phrasesalbum-releaseall-ages-portland-mcmenamins-mission-theater

Upcoming Dirty Revival tour dates!

Alright friends, excited to bring you our "So Cold" Winter Tour dates. Before we get there, don't forget we've got 4 nights with @The Motet to round out what has been an amazing 2017. Tickets are moving fast so pick them up while they are still available. The whole Dirty Revival family is thankful for your undying support and we can't wait for what's ahead! 🤩🎉💖

12/28 - Live at the Armory, Ashland, OR supporting The Motet
12/29 - The Domino Room, Bend, OR supporting The Motet
12/30 and 12/31 - Revolution Hall, Portland, OR supporting The Motet

1/19 - Rhythm and Rye, Olympia, WA w/ The Lique
1/24 - Moe's Alley, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA w/ Sal's Greenhouse
1/25 - Cornerstone Craft Beer & Live Music, Berkeley, CA w/ Sal's Greenhouse
1/26 - Mountain Rambler Brewery, Bishop, CA
1/27 - Crystal Bay Casino, N Lake Tahoe, NV
2/1 - Wild Buffalo, Bellingham, WA - supporting ORGŌNE
2/2 - Nectar Lounge, Seattle, WA - supporting ORGŌNE
2/7 - University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
2/8 - Hodi's Half Note, Fort Collins, CO
2/9 - Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver, CO
2/10 - The Arts Campus at Willits (The Temporary), Basalt, CO
2/13 - River Music Experience (Redstone Room), Davenport, IA
2/15 - Bourbon on Division, Chicago, IL
2/16 - High Noon Saloon, Madison, WI
2/17 - Turf Club, Minneapolis, MN
2/20 - The Pub Station, Billings, MT
2/21 - The Filling Station, Bozeman, MT
2/22 - Great Northern Bar, Whitefish, MT
2/23 - The Top Hat, Missoula, MT
2/24 - The Hive, Sandpoint, ID

Thomas Barber Quartet at Teutonic Wine Company

I'll be playing with a new quartet this Wednesday, Dec 6th, at the Teutonic Wine Company, from 7:30 on! The venue placed no requirements on the music except that it be raw and adventurous. This is a new venue, and the aim is to create a new jazz hang here in Portland!  Hope you can come out! 

Tim Wilcox - Tenor Saxopone
Jon Lakey - Bass
Tyson Stubelek - Drums
Thomas Barber - Trumpet

https://teutonicwines.com/events/

Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses.

I'm very excited to be playing in The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses on September 23rd!  Keller Auditorium, 8pm!
http://www.portland5.com/keller-auditorium/events/legend-zelda-symphony-goddesses

Oregon Symphony plays La La Land.

I'm excited to announce that I'll be playing with the Oregon Symphony for the live score to the film La La Land on Sept 9th (7:35pm) and Sept 10th (2:05pm)
https://www.orsymphony.org/concerts-tickets/1718/la-la-land-in-concert/

Upcoming Dirty Revival Shows

I've spent most of the summer on the road with Dirty Revival, and I'm excited to say that the 2017 run has not ended yet!  Here are our upcoming dates! 

Spiral Road show at J Bell Cellars

Looking forward to playing with a slightly smaller version of Spiral Road at J Bell Cellars on Aug 12th! 

John Nastos - saxohphones
Clay Giberson - keyboards
Thomas Barber - bass
Tyson Stubelek - drums

Sets begin at 6 & 8pm! 

73 Knight Hill Rd.
Zillah, WA 98953

Fun upcoming shows with the PJCE

We're playing in Salem and in Portland this week, debuting all-new compositions based on soundscapes recorded in Oregon.  Hope you can make it out!

http://pjce.org/event/oregonophony-inspired-by-sounds-recorded-in-oregon-2/
http://pjce.org/event/oregonophony-inspired-by-sounds-recorded-in-oregon/

Portland Jazz Festival 2017


There are some fun shows coming up for the Portland Jazz Festival. 

Andrew Oliver, Bill Athens, Tyson Stubelek w/ special guest Thomas Barber
Feb 16th, 8pm
Portland Piano Company
$10 cover

Ezra Weiss Big Band
Feb 20th, 7:30pm
Lola's Room (2nd floor of Crystal Ballroom)
$20 advance, $25 day of concert
https://www.mcmenamins.com/lolas-room/ezra-weiss-and-the-monday-night-big-band/venue/163408

Bridgetown Septet w/ special guests Andrew Oliver and Devin Phillips
Feb 22, 7:30pm
Mission Theater
$20 advance, $25 day of concert
http://pdxjazz.com/event/bridgetown-sextet/

Thomas Barber Quartet plays the music of Dizzy Gillespie
Feb 23, 8-10pm
Al's Den
No Cover, 21+
John Nastos, Jon Lakey, Tyson Stubelek, w/ special guest Dan Duval
http://pdxjazz.com/event/thomas-barber-quintet-barber-does-dizzy/

Portland Jazz Composer's Ensemble Grasshoppers Concert
Feb 24th, 7:30pm
The Old Church
$20, $15 for students of PJCE Members
http://pdxjazz.com/event/grasshoppers-2017/

Mysteriosos: The Music of Steve Lacy and Thelonious Monk  w/ Jenny Scheinman
Feb 26th, 7:30pm
Alberta Abbey
$25-30
http://pdxjazz.com/event/misteriosos/
(arranger only)

Barra Brown Trio/ Spiral Road double bill
Feb 26th, 8pm
Turn Turn Turn
Cover TBA
John Nastos, Greg Goebel, Mike Gamble, Jon Lakey, Tyson Stubelek
https://turnturnturnpdx.com/entertainment/

Thomas Barber Quintet at Camellia on July 9!

On Saturday, July 9, my band is performing at the Tea Zone and Camellia Lounge from 7-9:30pm.  We will be performing some of my favorite standards, and my own original compositions as well.  All ages are welcome, and $10 cover pays the band. 

Thomas Barber - trumpet
John Nastos - saxophones
Clay Giberson - keys
Jon Lakey - bass
Michael Raynor - drums

Camellia Lounge is located at 510 NW 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209

Darrell Grant's The Territory CD Release Saturday Nov 14th!

I'm quite excited to be performing once again with Darrell Grant, playing the CD release of The Territory. 

“The Territory” marks Grant’s seventh CD as a leader and his first since 2007’s critically acclaimed “Truth and Reconciliation,” which was selected one of the top 10 CDs’ of the year by The Village Voice jazz critic’s poll. The new CD captures the exciting 2013 world premiere performance of “The Territory” presented by Chamber Music Northwest in front a sell-out audience at Portland’s Kaul Auditorium. It features a nine-member ensemble that includes Grant’s long-time collaborators Grammy-winning drummer Brian Blade, Grammy-winning saxophonist Steve Wilson and celebrated vibraphonist Joe Locke, as well as renowned cellist Hamilton Cheifetz, Chicago bassist Clark Sommers, Portland vocalist Marilyn Keller, trumpeter Thomas Barber, and bass clarinetist Kirt Peterson.

Joining the Territory for this Oregon performance will be John Nastos on woodwinds, Tyson Stubelek on drums, Mike Horsfall on vibraphone, and Eric Gruber on bass."

https://www.facebook.com/events/1015044175184384/​

Spiral Road is recording our first record!!!  

Picture
We go into the studio on June 11 and 12 to track the music that we've been honing for the last year!  Good times will be had by all!  More news on the release date of the record when I have it!  

Spiral Road Performance on Saturday, May 23rd!

We're returning to Tea Zone and Camellia Lounge this Saturday, May 23rd, $10 cover.  

John Nastos - Alto Saxophone
Nicole Glover - Tenor Saxophone
Clay Giberson - Keys
Dan Duval - Guitar
Tyson Stubelek - Drums
Thomas Barber - trumpet/ bass

Performances in LA and San Francisco with Esperanza Spalding

I'm very excited to be playing with Esperanza Spalding in LA on April 26th, and again in San Francisco on May 1st. We will be performing the music from her Grammy-winning record, Radio Music Society.

http://www.esperanzaspalding.com/cms/touring/

Spiral Road Performance on Saturday, Jan 10th!  

For the first time since May of 2014, Spiral Road will play with the original lineup, at the Tea Zone and Camellia Lounge, on Saturday, Jan 10th, from 6-8:30pm.  Please come help welcome Clay Giberson back!  $10 cover.  

John Nastos - Alto Saxophone
Nicole Glover - Tenor Saxophone
Clay Giberson - Keys
Dan Duval - Guitar
Tyson Stubelek - Drums
Thomas Barber - trumpet/ bass

Esperanza Spaulding New Years Show

I'm really excited to be playing with Esperanza Spaulding on Dec 30th and 31st.  We'll be welcoming in the new year along with the Oregon Symphony at the Schnitzer Concert Hall.  

http://tickets.orsymphony.org/single/EventDetail.aspx?p=2628

Spiral Road Performance on Friday, Oct 24th!  w/ special guest Randy Porter

This Friday, Oct 24th, the Tea Zone and Camellia Lounge will resume live music again with my band, Spiral Road!  The show starts and 6pm, and includes dinner.  Hope to see you there!  

Randy Porter - keys
Dan Duval - guitar
Tyson Stubelek - drums
Thomas Barber - electric bass/ trumpet
Nicole Glover - tenor saxophone
John Nastos - alto saxophone

http://www.teazone.com/live-music/2014/10/24/spiral-road-dinner-show

Ola Gjeilo Comes to Portland!

On Saturday and Sunday, Oct 18th and 19th, I'll be performing with fantastic composer Ola Gjeilo and the Choral Arts Ensemble of Portland.  This will be a very special performance!  

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/10460

Barra Brown Quintet Tour!

I'm minutes away from heading to Dayton, WA for the first leg of the Barra Brown Quintet Summer Tour 2014!  Hope you can catch us!
August 21st
Mace Mead Works 250 E Main Street, Dayton, WA 99328 
8-10 p.m.

August 22nd
One World Café 533 S. Main St. Moscow, ID USA 
6-8 p.m.

August 23rd
House Show-8242 4th Ave NE, Seattle 98115
Potluck 5p.m./Music 6, we play 7 p.m.

August 24th
Café Racer 5828 Roosevelt Way NE Seattle, WA 98105
7:30-11

Spiral Road (formerly Spiral Row) Returns To Camellia!

I hope you're all able to come to the Tea Zone and Camellia Lounge on Saturday, July 26, to hear Spiral Road play!  We hit from 8-11.  This show marks the triumphant return of John Nastos to our front line, as well as Nicole Glover, Clay Giberson, Dan Duval, Tyson Stubalek, and myself.  Hope you can make it out!  

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/737687

Spiral Row (formerly Spiral Road) Performance May 18!

Spiral Row, formerly Spiral Road, is playing again on Sunday, May 18th, at Tango Berretín!  Spiral Row features some of the best musicians in Portland, and I'm excited to be performing with them again!  We'll be playing original music of mine.  

Sunday, May 18th at 6pm.  Tango Berretín is located at 6305 SE Foster Rd, 97206.  $10 at the door.  

Spiral Road is:

Clay Giberson - keys
Dan Duval - guitar
Tyson Stubelek - drums
Thomas Barber - electric bass/ trumpet
Nicole Glover - tenor saxophone

Hope to see you there!  

THOMAS BARBER'S SPIRAL ROAD DEBUT PERFORMANCE.

Spiral Road is my newest musical endeavor. This music is an attempt to exorcise all the fun melodies that I have had running around in my head for the last two months. I really like these melodies, and have worked hard to craft them into compositions that you will also like! I've worked so hard, in fact, that we actually have more music than we can possibly perform for you in one evening! 

Spiral Road will feature:

Clay Giberson - keys
Dan Duval - guitar
Tyson Stubelek - drums
Myself - electric bass/ trumpet

We'll also be featuring John Nastos (alto saxophone) and Nicole Glover (tenor saxophone) for the second set. 

I sincerely hope you can make it out! Music starts at 8pm, and there is a $7 cover. Buy tickets at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/611008

PDX Jazz Festival Upcoming Shows in February.

Looking forward to performing with The Darrell Grant Ensemble, performing his new suite, The Territory, on Feb 21st at the Winningstad Theatre, 9:30pm.  Special guest Joe Locke on vibes.  I'll also be performing at the PJCE Showcase with the Barra Brown Quintet on Feb 28th at the Mission Theater.  

https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=pdxj

More Like Misleading plays The Blue Monk on Dec 15th.

I'm excited to announce an upcoming performance at Portland's Blue Monk at 8pm, Sunday December 15th.  The recently formed septet, More Like Misleading,  will be featuring a fair amount of my own compositions, as well as some of my favorite standards.  $5-7 pays the band.  

More Like Misleading is:
Thomas Barber - trumpet
David Valdez - alto saxophone
Nicole Glover - tenor saxophone
John Stowell - guitar
Kerry Politzer - piano
Chris Higgins - bass
Michael Raynor - drums

Bird Is The Worm Reviews Barra Brown's Songs For A Young Heart.

A tuneful debut album from drummer Barra Brown, whose Songs for a Young Heartproves that he knows how to tie an idea to a strong melody.  Mixing in heavy doses of indie-pop influences, Brown and quintet offer up a series of tunes that have the presence of an epic soundtrack and the affecting simplicity of expertly crafted folk songs.

Your album personnel:  Barra Brown(drums), Thomas Barber (trumpet), Nicole Glover (tenor sax), Adam Brock (guitar, mandolin), and Jon Lakey(acoustic & electric basses).

The quintet comes out swinging on the opening track “How the West Was Won.”  Brown’s punchy rhythms provide a driving cadence, accentuated by melodic development that keeps in touch with the percussion unit.  Throughout this album, as he does here, Brock’s guitar does its best work when it shades the lines in between the rhythm and the harmony… when he spreads out notes like droplets of sunlight, it envelops many aspects of the song and brings them all together.

Track two begins with a mournful ballad, but grows into a leviathan of a tune, becoming more intense as it goes along and resembling nothing of its melancholy origins.  Glover’s sax has a delicious weariness that just sings with a light heart, creating the kind of emotional contradiction that makes it fascinating to hear.

Third track “Poem” is a lullaby of gentle intonations and the exhalation of a soothing melody.  Barber and Glover serve up some beautiful harmonies that possess a hell of an evocative punch.  Slow patient notes that have the time to breathe and bloom at just the right moment.

The brief interlude of “Mandolin Song,” a jumping piece that has mandolin synching up with percussion for a brisk run, serves as an interesting transition piece between tracks that hang their hat on the build of tension.

“On This Day” begins with yet another beautiful simple melody right out of the gates.  Stated with patience and care.  Glover and Barber take turns expressing it on sax and trumpet before expanding upon its theme, guitar shading at the edges, Lakey and Brown keeping it on a leash so it doesn’t fly away into the clouds.  Even when the song explodes with a powerful saxophone solo, drums thundering loudly, the melody still pervades every note.

No track may better reflect this album’s mix of jazz and indie-pop than sixth track “King of the North.”  A languorous melody that builds right up to a roar, then right back down to calming tones… every statement given with a celebratory tone.  It’s a song that goes through the changes several times through, switching up tempos and tones, all the while a foot in jazz and rock territories.

Seventh track “Song for a Young Heart” cements in place this album’s cinematic quality.  The song’s melody echoes that of earlier melodies, both in its progression and its delivery, and acts a binding agent of the album’s latter tracks to its opening and establishing a sense of a long road traveled… a quality that any good soundtrack will possess.

This trend continues with the album’s final track, a reprise of fourth track “Poem.”  This alternative view of the composition is a cheerful tune expressed with a sunny disposition, lifting the pervasive melancholia of its initial expression.

An impressive debut, and the kind of tuneful album of songs that’s always nice to go back to for more.

Released on the PJCE (Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble) Records label.

Jazz from the Portland, OR scene.

Available at Bandcamp CD/Digital | Amazon MP3

*****

Some additional notes:

Trumpeter Thomas Barber was mentioned on this site a little ways back, when his album Snow Road was covered in the Safety Net review series.  Here’s a LINK to read that review.  Also, it appears Amazon was the only retail option at that time, but you can grab his album on Bandcamp now and, I’m pretty sure, eMusic, too.

Also, the PJCE label has been putting out some solid albums this year, about one a month.  It’s worth your time to check them out.


http://www.birdistheworm.com/barra-brown-quintet-songs-for-a-young-heart/

The Portland Mercury has some nice things to say about the Barra Brown Quintet release.

There are seemingly infinite amounts of up-and-coming musicians in Portland, but it's very rare to find a universally talented musician with such promise. Barra Brown and his quintet stand more of a chance for longevity than the average indie rocker or electronic artist that we're seeing pop up with increasing frequency. It's also highly unusual to find new jazz artists, let alone ones producing a truly unique sound. Brown has a contemporary flair, with finely tuned improvised jazz skills, and a tight set that will surely captivate a growing audience. "Songs for a Young Heart" includes Cake-style rocking trumpet parts, with diverse tempos and tight instrumentation. There aren't many drummers/composers/flautists flooding the music scene right now, and this one you certainly shouldn't miss. ROSE FINN


http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/barra-brown-and-vikesh-kapoor/Event?oid=10309393

Barra Brown's Upcoming CD Release on August 15th.

I'm excited to help announce the upcoming release of drummer/ composer Barra Brown's first CD, entitled Songs For A Young Heart.  Releasing on PJCE Records, the record features some of Portland's finest young talent, including saxophonist Nicole Glover, guitarist Adam Brock, and bassist John Lakey.  I hold down the trumpet chair.  You can hear Barra talk about the project on the PJCE Records podcast.  

Nat Osborne's The King and The Clown Review

“…a polyrhythmic Latin-rock song about overmedicated children” sounds like a bad idea on paper and an even worse one on sheet music. But Nat Osborn and his rather large (sounding) band somehow pull it off. The aptly-titled “Ritalin” is one of many tunes on Osborn’s debut album to take jabs and jests at heavier topics that cause most singer-songwriters to flounder. There’s the class war parable of the title track, an indictment (I think) of alcoholism by way of starfuckery (opener “Fire In The Wind”), and another indictment (I think) of the futility of starfuckery, or at least celebrity ascension, even by way of genuine hard work (“No Reason”).

But the long con is that Osborn’s not punk, hip-hop, folk, or even straightforward rock. And although social commentary in music certainly isn’t limited to those genres, it’s rare that you see criticisms as pointed and humorous as his in swing and cocktail jazz — the mediums which he seems most comfortable playing in. Sure, a healthy dose of dub-sans-step creeps its way into the ballsy military chastisement, “Yours Alone”. But the upstroke guitar and darkened, simmering bass are novelties on a record packed with lounging piano and an ace horn trio.

Osborn rounds out the rest of The King & The Clown with love songs, or at least songs about love. Like his “political” songs, they’re at their best when they are criticizing someone, whether it’s the irresistible yet hypocritical girlfriend in “Little to the Left” (“She loves to wear leather/She hates when I eat meat”) or the drug-addled partner in “Subterfuge”. That’s not to say Osborn comes off as some holier-than-thou dickhead. It’s just that the more biting he is, the more specific he gets, and the songs are all the better for it. Otherwise, we get the overly general pining heard in “Siren” and “One Chance”. Far from being clunkers, they’re also not lyrically interesting enough to break out of their standard tango and blues trappings. Stay romantic, Nat, just as long as you stay angry too.

Essential Tracks: “Fire In The Wind”, “No Reason”, “Yours Alone”, “The King And The Clown”

http://consequenceofsound.net/2013/05/album-review-nat-osborn-band-the-king-the-clown/

Upcoming performance with The Darrell Grant Ensemble on July 6th and 7th

I'm thrilled to announce my involvement in the upcoming performance of The Territory, composed by Darrell Grant, on July 6th (8pm) at Reed College, Kaul Auditorium and July 7th (4pm) at St. Mary's Church.

Darrell Grant, piano
Brian Blade, drums
Joe Locke, vibraphone/ marimba
Steve Wilson, alto saxophone
Clark Sommers, bass
Marilyn Keller, vocals
Hamilton Cheifetz, cello
Kirt Peterson, bass clarinet/ tenor saxophone
Thomas Barber, trumpet/ flugelhorn

I hope you're able to come out and enjoy this amazing piece of music.  I'm honored to be a part of it!  

http://www.cmnw.org/13eventDetail.php?event_ID=188&performance_ID=289

Gunga Galunga Review from Bird is the Worm

Gunga Galunga, Unlicensed Nuclear Accelerator: A quintet featuring trumpeter Thomas Barber (whose large ensemble album Snow Road was a gem from 2011), plus Willie Matheis on tenor sax, Dan Duval on guitar, Jon Shaw on bass, and Tom “Euge” Goicoechea on drums. Part of the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble series. Music that mixes straight-ahead jazz with some avant-garde and rock tendencies. Inventive and adventurous without sacrificing some wonderful melodic offerings. Find of the Week.


http://www.emusic.com/17dots/2013/04/11/new-jazz-this-week-ernst-reijseger-jaimeo-brown-more/

Snow Road Review from Bird is the Worm

Trumpeter and big band leader Thomas Barber released his debut album Snow Road back in 2009.  And while it did get some attention at the time, since I find myself as enthusiastic today as I did a couple years back when I first heard it, I feel like maybe the attention it garnered wasn’t up to the level of the quality of the album.

Originally from Moscow, Idaho and now living in NYC (via University of Northern Colorado in good ol’ Greeley), Barber has a bunch of movie scores to his credit.  The imagery conjured up by Snow road, from the music itself to the album cover and liner notes, it has a strong cinematic feel to it all, which makes for a very moving listening experience.  I adore an album that can make me daydream like mad while simultaneously engaging me sufficiently to where I don’t just drift away in thought.

Your album personnel:  Thomas Barber (trumpet and flugelhorn),Claudio Roditi (trumpet), Tim Collins (vibes), Nasheet Waits (drums),Linda Oh (bass), Adam Birnbaum (piano), Michael Dease (trombone),Sharel Cassity (alto Sax, flute), Lauren Sevian (baritone sax, bass clarinet), Stacy Dillard (tenor sax), Peter Reardon Anderson (clarinet),Sydney Braunfeld (horn), Amy Schroeder (violin), Keiko Tokunaga(violin), Gillian Gallagher (viola), and Andrew Yee (cello).

The entire album has a satisfying counterbalance of polar emotions.  When the notes paint a gloomy sky, the compositions still let streaks of bright sunlight shine through, and when the tune bounds happily along with a smile on its face, there are moments that provide for serious introspection and a wariness that downcast days may be ahead.  The contradictory emotions coalesce into a pleasant, and intrinsically human, sense of glass half full or half empty depending on what you’re drinking.

The album opener “Song For Snow Road” is the quintessential example of this.  Opening notes are forlorn and full of weighty despondency.  But then trumpet turns the notes around and piano jumps in, and suddenly maybe all is not as doom and gloom as it appeared at first blush.  The sound grows brighter, more lively, both in tempo and loudness, and now the landscape has changed.  When second track “Shatzaquotek” gets under way, the album has shifted to one of buoyancy, even as piano and strings erode at it with a surge of dissonance.

Barber spreads the love around, letting ensemble members speak their voice throughout.  Birnbaum’s piano on second track “Shatzaquotek” gives the beating heart a brain to pair up with.  Collins’ vibes on “The Mind Beneath” is a thrilling gallop.  Barber and Roditi, both on trumpet, have a strong rapport, evident in the way that the shared responsibilities don’t cost the album its cohesion.  Waits sneaks in some nifty embellishments here and there, noticeably on “Stream,” even as he maintains a steady and pleasant sway.  The song “Lickety Split” allows several of the musicians to kick back with their instruments and blow.  And it’s nice hearing bassist Oh in the context of a big band in light of her recent quartet release Initial Here.  Barber employs the string quartet deftly… evenly layering its lush sound throughout the album without ever using it to carry the load; a lesson in effective accompaniment.  That said, the string quartet really shines in the spotlight on album closer “Come Sunday.”



I think that, for the casual listener, there is a belief that jazz big band albums all pretty much sound alike.  If the last decade has proven anything about the jazz genre, it’s that this is a false impression.  Ensembles like the Jack Davies Big Band and Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society (to name just two) illustrate the vast landscape of texture and complexities that a big band leader can aspire to.  However, an aspect that I believe has made Snow Road such an enduring visitor to my stereo speakers is that it doesn’t stray very far from a typically traditional big band arrangement, yet with some tweaks here and there, presents something still quite different.  As if by putting the nuances of his music out front, the differentiation in the music is more profound than the distance would indicate.  I suppose, it’s a so-close-yet-so-far kind of reaction the music elicits from me.  It’s why I keep returning to this excellent album.

Released on the D Clef Records label.  Not a lot of information on the label.  It appears to have been created by musician Michael Dease.  Snow Road was the label’s inaugural release.  The label doesn’t appear to have an actual website, as the link above would prove, but scooting around the internet has derived some results that indicate this is an active label that has put out several album since.  So worth doing some research if you’re interested to see who else this label is promoting.

You can stream the entire album, and purchase it, on Barber’s bandcamp page.

Available at Amazon: CD | MP3


http://www.birdistheworm.com/the-safety-net-thomas-barbers-janus-bloc-snow-road/

Gunga Galunga, a (mostly) Bill Murray themed band, to release a new album soon!  11-29-12

I'm thrilled to announce the inaugural recording of Gunga Galunga, a Portland based quintet heavily inspired by Bill Murray and his inexhaustible awesomeness.  The record is titled Unlicensed Nuclear Accelerator, and the band features Willie Matheis on tenor sax, Dan Duval on guitar, John Shaw on bass, Tom “Euge” Goicoechea on drums, and myself on trumpet and flugelhorn.  Physical copies will be on sale on Dec 15th at the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble winter concert, and the full release will be sometime in early January.  This project is also the first release by the newly formed PJCE records.  You can check them out at pjce.org.

http://pjcerecords.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/gunga-kalunga-session-a-success/

Portland Jazz Composer's Ensemble live concert recording 10-19-12

New album from PJCE.  It's great music, and free!  Whee!  

http://pjce.bandcamp.com/album/10-19-12-concert

Jazz Musician of the Month by the Jazz Society of Oregon 10-18-12

I'm very honored to have been featured as the October Jazz Musician of the Month by the Oregon Jazz Society!

http://www.jsojazzscene.org/FeaturedMusicians/201210_ThomasBarber.htm

NJ's Alan Ferber leads L.A. Big Band @ Blue Whale 01-12-12

http://www.wbgo.org/blog/njs-alan-ferber-leads-la-big-band-blue-whale

Snow Road Review in the Pittsburgh Tribune  01-08-10

Snow Road'
Thomas Barber's Janus Bloc (D Clef)

'Facing the Mirror'
Dave Rivello Ensemble (Allora)

'We Take No Prisoners'
Joris Teepe Big Band (Challenge)

Big bands do not have to sound like creatures of the 1940s. Thomas Barber, Dave Rivello and Joris Teepe show that clearly on "Snow Road," "Facing the Mirror" and "We Take No Prisoners." They do that by putting together arrangements and ensembles that work in a creative way. Barber's album does that particularly by using a string quartet almost as an instrument rather than a group. On the mid-tempo "Shatzaquotek," for example, the strings offer statements that a listener might expect from a horn. Rivello's ensemble is more traditionally shaped, but uses harmony and tonal quality in an unusual way. "Chorale," for instance, is just that in brass and reeds, but has a rhythm section background that lifts it out of the classics. Teepe's ensemble is more traditional, too, but always uses its horn voices in fresh ways, particularly on a swinging "It Is Peculiar" and a butt-kicking title tune. All three show just how much many big bands have missed.

— Bob Karlovits

http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/music/s_653995.html#axzz2GboA2a00

Snow Road is featured by Radio WNTI's Just Jazz as one of November's New and Recommended albums.  11-05-09

Bob Bernotas, WNTI's host of Just Jazz, makes the following four CD recommendations:

Thomas Barber's Janus Bloc: Snow Road (D Clef): In Greek mythology the god Janus, typically depicted with two heads, was thought to posses the power to see both the future and the past. Trumpeter-composer Thomas Barber with his well-named ensemble, Janus Bloc, has created invigorating music that is aware of jazz's past and looks ahead to its future, while bringing that future into the present. Trumpeter Claudio Roditi guests on two tracks.

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wnti/arts.artsmain?action=viewArticle&sid=3&id=1573525&pid=247

Snow Road Review by Troy Collins, Allaboutjazz.com.  10-30-09

In ancient Roman mythology, Janus, the god of gates, doorways, beginnings and endings, was often depicted with two heads facing in opposite directions—one looking to the past, the other to the future—making him an appropriate signifier for music that embraces a range of historical traditions. Snow Road is the debut recording of trumpeter and recent Julliard graduate Thomas Barber's large ensemble Janus Bloc, whose episodic compositions reveal a plethora of stylistic antecedents, drawing from classical, jazz, and film scores.

Janus Bloc is the realization of a longstanding dream for Barber, combining the power of a big band, the intimacy of a small jazz combo, and the orchestral shading of a classical chamber ensemble into one versatile unit. Switching between genres and styles as effortlessly as it does arrangements, the 14 member band brings Barber's ideas to fruition with a cohesive sensibility that provides his labyrinthine compositions with a logical, if occasionally surprising, narrative flow.

Lead by Barber on trumpet, and featuring special guest appearances from trumpeter Claudio Roditi and vibraphonist Tim Collins, Barber's large ensemble consists of a horn sextet, a string quartet, and a three-piece rhythm section. They premier seven of the leader's intricate originals, followed by a regal interpretation of Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday."

In the liner notes, Barber admits a fondness for the sweeping grandeur of composer John Williams' film scores, an influence that arises periodically throughout the record, most notably on the bucolic nostalgia of "Song For Snow Road." Embracing similar cinematic vistas, the delicate jazz waltz "Elizabeth Rose" features an elegant solo turn by Roditi, with Collins contributing cascading variations to the contrapuntal 7/4 epic "The Mind Beneath."

Classical forms influence the dramatic tonal shifts of "Shatzaquotek" and robust lyricism of "White Out," while "Stream" alternates between Third Stream complexity and a soulful swagger reminiscent of Wynton Marsalis' revisionism. "Lickity Split" ventures further a field, recalling Jim McNeely's more adventurous post-bop charts with a barrage of unfettered saxophone solos. The set concludes with a lilting neo-classical arrangement of "Come Sunday," highlighting the Attacca String Quartet's sober expressionism and Roditi's mellifluous flugelhorn work.

Snow Road is an admirable first effort from the young Thomas Barber, a composer whose talent suggests great potential for the future.


http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=34481#.UOEwp3PjlYQ

Snow Road Review by Brad Walseth, JazzChicago.net  09-10-09

Thomas Barber's Janus Bloc - "Snow Road"
(DClef Records)
No real surprise that this recording of seven originals and a Duke Ellington cover ("Come Sunday") was recorded at Kaleidoscope Sound studios as composer Barber shows a wide range of styles written for a large 14-piece ensemble. Barber's Janus Bloc (well-named in that the Greek god Janus could see into the past and future) features Barber on trumpet and flugelhorn along with several other horn and reed players, including trombonist Michael Dease (who also produced the album) and up-and-coming alto saxophonist/flautist Sharel Cassity. The rhythm section includes pianist Adam Birnbaum, bassist Linda Oh and drummer Nasheet Waits - all names to remember, while the recording also utilizes the talents of the Attacca (String) Quartet, and guests vibraphonist Tim Collins and trumpet/flugelhorn veteran Claudio Roditi. This fine group brings Barber's compositions to life with dedicated and detailed teamwork.

"Song for Snow Road" sounds like a soundtrack number, as indeed it is, and showcases Barber's tasty solo talents, while the intriguigly-named "Shatzaquotek" brings tenor saxophonist Stacy Dillard (among others) into the spotlight on this modern-sounding piece. The time-shifting "Steam" is driven by Birnbaum and Waits, while Dease and Roditi take the solos on the gentle, Latin-tinged "Elizabeth Rose" Barber unleashes the sax section on the crazy bop number "Lickety Split" and they burn it up in fine fashion. Dillard, bari-sax player Lauren Sevian and Cassity simply go nuts on this fun number. "The Mind Beneath" truly exhibits Barber's interesting and layered writing, with the strings and Collins' vibes adding much to this satisfying work. Another joyously intricate number, "White Out" allows Barber, Birnbaum and Cassity another chance to shine, while interacting with the string quartet in another piece of fine writing. This is followed by the album-finale of "Come Sunday" where the Attacca Quartet leads into Roditi and the Duke's gospel jazz flavor to end things. A pleasure to listen to, and good to see there is a new force in jazz developing around the Tom Barber/Mike Dease contingent.