SAM BLAKESLEE to Release First Single, Video From NEW BLOOD
The trombonist's forthcoming record follows his work as a bandleader and educator.
Trombonist, composer, and educator Sam Blakeslee has released the first single and video from his forthcoming album NEW BLOOD, according to a press release issued through Red Cat Publicity.
New Blood will be released on Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records (BJUR 083) on September 25, 2026.
Upcoming Appearances
Monday, August 24: Guest Artist w/ Hartford Jazz Orchestra, Elicit Brewing, Manchester, CT
Friday, September 11: Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival, Akron Main Library, Akron, OH
Sunday, September 27: Shapeshifter Lab, Brooklyn, NY
Friday, November 13: Blu Jazz, Akron, OH
Saturday, November 14: The Bop Stop at the Music Settlement, Cleveland, OH
Award-winning trombonist/composer Sam Blakeslee, originally from Columbus, Ohio, and now persistently raising the bar for all trombonists and composers on the NYC scene, presents an exhilarating and rewarding new album from his Sam Blakeslee Large Group, New Blood, to be released on Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records on September 25, 2026.
Blakeslee's compositions exude quality and depth. The writing is sublime and expertly crafted (he was after all the recipient of the 2018 David Baker Prize in Composition from Ravinia Steans Music Institute.) There is an abundance of substance and experience in every phrase, and the music is brought to life with ebullience by an ensemble of first-call, high level NYC artists, including Charles Pillow, David Smith, Alex Norris, Pete McCann, Matt Pavolka, and many others. The quality of musicianship is nearly peerless, and the band sounds like they've been on the road together playing this music for quite some time. The Large Group sounds joyously engaged with the compositions, and Blakeslee was naturally thrilled that the musicians took such ownership of the music.
'Thank you to the members of the Large Group who gave their all as part of a 3-day recording session where we documented two records of my big band music, the second of which I am also extremely excited to share with you down the line,' said Blakeslee.
This level of writing for large ensembles is not common, and arguably only achievable after intense, prolonged listening, swatting away at honing your craft and chops, and many years in the NYC trenches. To that end, Blakeslee is an invaluable part of numerous ensembles such as Remy Le Boeuf's Assembly of Shadows, Manuel Valera's New Cuban Express Big Band, the Terraza Big Band, Dan Pugach Nonet, New York Afro-Bop Alliance Big Band, and Emilio Solla's Tango Jazz Orchestra. He appeared on the Remy Le Boeuf's Assembly of Shadows album Architecture of Storms, which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2023.
Blakeslee has also performed with artists such as Sean Jones, Joe Lovano, Dan Wilson, Dick Oatts, Aretha Franklin, John Clayton, Big Heart Machine, Javier Nero Jazz Orchestra, Jiyhe Lee Orchestra, Tracy Yang Jazz Orchestra, Birdland Big Band, Joel Harrison Large Ensemble, and The Jazz Gallery Composer's Showcase directed by Miho Hazama. Blakeslee is also a member of the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, co-led by the producer of this album, Alan Ferber and prominent jazz composer Andy Farber.
Capping off this impressive CV is the fact that Blakeslee is a well-respected educator, on faculty at the University of Hartford - Hartt School of Music, in the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz as Director of the Jackie McLean Institute Big Band, and Artist Teacher of Trombone.
Two major influences have shaped and sharpened Blakeslee's prowess as a composer; being exposed to the stratospherically high level of the scene in NYC, and coming under the spell of trombonist/composer Bob Brookmeyer. Blakeslee explains that, 'While playing in big bands as a trombonist has always been an integral part of my musical life, my relationship with the medium changed once I became aware of the big band writing of Bob Brookmeyer in 2011. The resonance, warmth, and daring nature of his compositions awakened a new interest in creating my own music . . . it was a compositional awakening.'
The other pivotal moment was moving to NYC from Northeast Ohio in 2017. Blakeslee elaborates that, 'Like most find out who move from smaller scenes, to say it was a humbling experience is an understatement. I quickly found myself playing in numerous big bands around town with music I could have never conceived, rhythms and grooves I had never heard, and players that kept me extremely accountable to keep the bar high. Working in the big band scene proved to be a worthwhile incubator for my own writing. It allowed me to find out how I wanted to write, how I didn't want to write, as well as find my own place in the middle of tradition and innovation. By playing a lot of music I liked and didn't like, it allowed me to figure out my own compositional needs and aesthetics. I wanted to write music that was provocative but not overly difficult, complex but not complicated, create frameworks that allowed soloists to truly express themselves, and balance density and openness.'
Highlights on New Blood include the title track, written in 2013 as an anthem to the new voices and musical aesthetics that were emerging on the Northeast Ohio scene (a region with a rich jazz & blues heritage that has produced trailblazing exponents such as Albert Ayler, Joe Lovano, and Tadd Dameron.) A mid-up tempo, driving tune, 'Franklin's Blues' not only reflects the meaningful and important relationship Blakeslee has with the blues, but also with his beloved cat, Franklin.
The contemporary and contrapuntal 'Another Day In Which To Excel' (commissioned by the International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers) is dedicated to the composer's late Grandfather who would awake each day at 5 AM without an alarm, and declare, 'another day in which to excel.'
'Slow Growth/New Growth' was originally composed in 2018 for string quartet, piano, bass, and drums as part of the Bridges Residency at Ravinia Steans Music Institute (created to promote and further the creation of music which straddles the genre divide between jazz and classical), and as part of that experience was the trombonist/composer being awarded the inaugural David Baker Prize in Composition.
The artist's will to express their unique artistic vision is ever-present. For Blakeslee this manifested itself in the composition, 'Escaping Shadows.' He explains, 'I was trying to escape the musical spheres of my own teachers and influences and trying to find out what I was actually hearing, not what other people were.' He has accomplished this with aplomb across the entire album.
Much of the sentiment behind the compositions on New Blood is centered around perseverance and resilience through Blakeslee's personal journey leading an ensemble as impractical as a big band! From the humble beginnings of the group's first performances in 2013 in a basement venue in Akron, OH, to recording this album with a large group of some of the most compelling artists on the New York City scene, is an experience that Blakeslee will treasure his entire life. And now with the release of New Blood the listener can treasure the music with each listen.
New Blood features Sam Blakeslee-trombone/compositions, Erica Seguine-conductor, Alan Ferber-producer, Brian Krock-Assistant Producer, Michael Thomas-alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, Chris Hemingway-alto saxophone, flute, Charles Pillow-tenor saxophone, clarinet, Johnathan Lowery-tenor saxophone, clarinet, Carl Maraghi-baritone saxophone, bass clarinet (tracks 2-4, 6-7), Andrew Gutauskas-baritone saxophone, bass clarinet (tracks 1,5,7), trumpets - John Lake, Stuart Mack (tracks 2-4, 6-7), Alex Norris (tracks 1,5), David Smith, David Adewumi, trombones - Sam Blakeslee, Matt McDonald, John Yao (tracks 2-4,6-7), Willie Applewhite (tracks 1,5), Jennifer Wharton, Pete McCann-guitar, Martha Kato-piano, Matt Pavolka-bass, Lee Fish-drums, Special Guests - Nathan-Paul Davis-alto saxophone (track 5), Chris Coles-tenor saxophone (track 5).
Please visit www.SamBlakesleeMusic.com & www.BJURecords.com
Recorded by the Sam Blakeslee Large Group, NEW BLOOD is set for release on Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records. More on the album's release can be found in a prior BroadwayWorld story.
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