In a major new compositional statement, trumpeter Dave Douglas returns with Alloy, alongside two thrilling young trumpeters: UK native Alexandra Ridout, now living in New York, and Dave Adewumi, from New Hampshire and currently in the thick of the NYC contemporary improvised music scene. Far from a trumpet blowout session, this is a warm-hewed, lyrical release featuring original compositions that highlight the many rich shades of brass, plus a stellar band of improvisers convened for the first time here. Aiming to bring together musicians in community, the writing features everybody as an organic whole and speaks to our need to live and breathe together as a unit. To cohere and coexist.

Renowned vibes player Patricia Brennan is on board, adding superb atmospherics to the proceedings. Originally from Perth, Australia, bassist Kate Pass is a new find in these circles. Douglas’s long-time collaborator and Frisell colleague Rudy Royston brings his driving and cinematic drumming to the session.

Recorded January 19, 2025, in New York City, Alloy opens a brand-new chapter for Douglas and the team.

In metallurgy, an alloy is a blending of elements to create a new and stronger substance. An alloy brings together disparate particles in a unified expression, stronger than its parts.

This Alloy is the sound of three trumpets together. Each sound is personal, each tone unique. Weaving seamlessly into the tapestry of the band. Alloy is the alchemy of contrasting voices creating a new anatomy.

Track Listing:

1. Announcement: Vigilance
2. Friendly Gargoyle
3. Alloy
4. Fields
5. The Antidote
6. The Illusion of Control
7. Future Community Furniture
8. Standing Watch

Personnel:

Production Credits:

A Festival of New Trumpet Music Project
All compositions by Dave Douglas, Dave Douglas Music, BMI

Executive Producer: Dave Douglas
Produced by Dave Douglas

Recorded at Samurai Hotel Recording Studio, Queens, NY
January 19, 2025
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Tyler McDiarmid
Assisted by David Stoller

Artwork by Heiner Binding
„But Beautiful“, 2019
© Heiner Binding / VG-Bild Kunst
Courtesy Van der Grinten Galerie, Cologne

Graphic design by Lukas Frei
Photos by Anna Yatskevich (studio) and Lukas Frei (live)

Press:

“An impressive united front, democratic in its unification of voices.” – JazzWise

“On Alloy, the chromatic harmony proves that Dave Douglas’ instincts are keen, as he and his friends celebrate “trumpets blending” in a show of unification over competition and division.” – The New York City Jazz Record

“Alloy delivers a heady, challenging take on chamber meets jazz music.” – Hot House Jazz

“The three horns… get loose and elliptical as on the post bopping The Antidote and scatter around like mercury on Friendly Gargoyle. The brass is elegiac on Future Community Furniture and are under control on the rapid pulse of The Illusion Of Control, with Brennan keeping things cogent on the prismatic title track and liquid Fields. Braggin in brass.” – Jazz Weekly

“An understated trumpet choir [is backed by] a beautiful trio dynamic of its own.” – JazzTimes

“Douglas, Ridout, and Adewumi to stretch and color these compositions with their distinct sonic palettes, as a vivid but bluesy, always-evolving canvas” – salt peanuts*

“Douglas has long proved to be one of the leading drivers in creative music. Alloy’s novel concept is one of his best.” – PostGenre

“Alloy shows incredible confidence and focus from Douglas as a composer and arranger… as he explores a truly new format.” – PopMatters

“A fascinating blend of post-bop and horn choir [creating] particularly cloudlike, amorphous music.” – Stereogum

“Douglas has strong lyric gifts and ability to impart chorale-like beauty in the multi-trumpet passages.” – Downbeat

“Dave Douglas continues his alchemical pursuits with Alloy, forging a trumpet-centric ensemble that elevates group dialogue to new heights—proving that in jazz, three is not a crowd.” – AllAboutJazz

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