Marshall Gilkes Quartett Early Set, Köln

Over the course of the past 20 years, Marshall Gilkes has established himself as one of the world’s preeminent trombonists. A nonpareil ar@st at the forefront of brass playing, his virtuosic command of the instrument, marked by a warm and enveloping tone, Herculean chops, astounding flexibility and awe-inspiring range, place him in a league of his own. CraGing seven albums since 2004, Gilkes has touched on a variety of seIngs including the compact trio, quartet and quintet formats, a merging of brass octet and jazz combo, and big band. Drawing heavy praise in the process, including a pair of Grammy nomina@ons, he’s cemented his reputa@on as a composer and leader of great renown. And with his work as a first-call sideman, carried out in parallel to those efforts, Gilkes con@nuously demonstrates incomparable might and adaptability. His lengthy résumé includes work performing and/or recording with bassist Carlos Henriquez, harpist Edmar Castañeda, the New York Philharmonic, the Brass Band of BaXle Creek, Slide Monsters, bassist Richard Bona, pianist Makoto Ozone and numerous other top-@er musicians and ou[its. And through his work with the WDR Big Band and as a long@me member of the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Gilkes has played himself into the rich history of large ensemble music.