Dave Adewumi: The Flame Beneath the Silence

Dave Adewumi has established himself as the next great talent in jazz trumpet. Born in New Hampshire to Nigerian immigrants, Adewumi is wizened in voice beyond his age. Having studied at both Harvard and Julliard, Adewumi went on to collaborate with such luminaries as pianist Jason Moran and trumpeter Dave Douglas (in Douglas' acclaimed Dizzy Gillespie tribute project Dizzy Atmosphere), and he has since joined star guitarist Mary Halvorson's exciting quartet project Canis Major.

The trumpeter is releasing his debut leader album, The Flame Beneath the Silence. It is a testament to Adewumi's stature and talent that he was able to assemble such an impressive backing combo—Joel Ross (vibraphone), Linda May Han Oh (bass) and Marcus Gilmore (drums). The quartet displays outstanding chemistry and moves in lockstep throughout the album, keeping focused thematically and tonally. For the most part, Adewumi strives for mood rather than swing. However, despite the music's flirtations with melancholy, the compositions are neither cold nor dispiriting. Adewumi successfully strikes a delicate balance between strength and ambience. The Flame Beneath the Silence is indeed a perfect title for the work, precisely describing the intervallic bursts of Adewumi's power behind the brooding ensemble.

The album begins with the title track, and Adewumi immediately betrays his youthful stature by delivering an assured and confident extended solo, lasting the entire track, that acts almost as an opening monologue, establishing the structure and intention of the rest of the album. Ross introduces himself and his vibraphone on the second track, "Is," and Ross's virtuosity never lets up throughout the rest of the album. The duets between Adewumi and Ross are the album's purest pleasures, with Ross beautifully filling in the spaces between Adewumi's tones. Ross provides a veteran presence that establishes a foundation, allowing Adewumi the luxury of uninhibited exploration.

Gilmore and Oh provide a predictably expert rhythm section. On "Infinite Loop," Gilmore creates a driving, fiery groove, and Adewumi and Ross take turns ruminating on a forceful, angular motif. Oh, in turn, is given a chance to shine on "Pensive" and "The Vine," the latter track offering Oh the opportunity to deliver one of her trademark superlative bass solos. One of the finest contemporary bassists in the scene today, Oh elevates whatever material she is given, and The Flame Beneath the Silence is no exception.

The Flame Beneath the Silence was recorded at the Brooklyn jazz club Ornithology Jazz Club, which is appropriate—an intimate, modern venue for an intimate, modern album. The crowd's enthusiastic response is intermittently audible, which, rather than disrupting the album's mood, in fact affirms the excellence of Adewumi's music. As a composer, player and bandleader, Adewumi displays thrilling promise on the record and offers tremendous excitement for the music's future.

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