Trumpeter Dan Rosenboom has firmly established himself as a catalyst for creative music in Los Angeles, a stylistically diverse artist, and a top-call studio musician. He’s a composer, producer, and bandleader who brings marquee musicians from different scenes together. His new album Polarity presents a dynamic program of original music featuring saxophonist Gavin Templeton, pianist/keyboardist John Escreet, bassist Billy Mohler, and drummer Damion Reid. Produced by Justin Stanley (Prince, Beck, et al) Polarity is a testament to Rosenboom’s strength as a leader and trust in his bandmates, a largely acoustic quintet with an innate sense of color and propulsion.

Polarity emerges from a changing Los Angeles scene where Highland Park’s ETA, has established itself as a home for  pure artistic expression. Rosenboom’s “Boom Sessions” is an ongoing improvisation series at ETA that features many of LA’s most powerful voices. After a show that featured Escreet, Mohler and Reid, producer Justin Stanley invited the band into his studio to make a record. 

Rosenboom and Stanley built mutual trust and admiration working together on Rosenboom’s 2020 opus Absurd in the Anthropocene. They initially leaned toward an improvisational approach for Polarity, which Stanley would produce in post. However, as the date approached, Damion Reid strongly encouraged Rosenboom to document his compositions.

“There’s a pretty deep vibe between the rhythm section and the horns,” says Rosenboom. “Justin’s production is just terrific. He is very detailed and on a couple tracks his amazing post-production makes them other-worldly!” Still, Polarity hinges on live performances from a single day’s session at Stanley’s Stella Sound Studios.  

In an auspicious coincidence, Rosenboom spent the week prior to recording Polarity immersed in Wayne Shorter’s music while performing in the groundbreaking opera Iphigenia. Shorter, one of Rosenboom’s long-time heroes, gave him sage advice in a brief post-concert conversation: bring a playful, imaginative, child-like mindset into his session.

“Recording with Dan is a very fluid and open process. He writes for the group in a way that lets everyone’s voices be heard while tying it all together with his compositions,” says Mohler. “This same philosophy is shared when playing live with the group.”

Album opener “The Age of Snakes” is the centerpiece of Polarity. Floating horns and an infectious beat provide a hypnotic overture to fiery surges and kaleidoscopic transitions before an ominous exit groove. Stanley’s immersive production creates a lucid-dream soundscape. Rosenboom elaborates, “this piece embodies everything I love about spontaneous creation: surprise, deep listening, fearless exploration, and a collective sense of breath and space.”

Throughout, the rhythm section ebb and flow with purpose. Mohler is one of Southern California’s most adventurous bassists. For Rosenboom, “he’s a natural fit for what I do.” Reid is everywhere on this album, building towers of rhythm as he supports the ensemble’s construction. “We had such an instant fiery connection,” says Rosenboom.

“Walking Shadows” and “On Summoning the Will” carry a tuneful strength, the latter inspired by Rosenboom’s wife’s perseverance as she overcame breast cancer. The jagged “Ikigai” emerges from contemplation of purpose as John Escreet swipes a solo that twists and turns over the rest of the pummeling rhythm section. He is pliable on both the piano and synthesizers. “Tidal Mirror” is an ethereal jaunt, futuristic and distant, a feel largely created from Escreet’s floating pads. Says Rosenboom: “He brings incredible pianistic ability and intuitive creativity to the music.”

On the churning “War Money” and “Minotaur,” Gavin Templeton is downright swinging on his baritone saxophone. Guttural bellows convulse over the striding rhythm section. Elsewhere his alto intertwines with Rosenboom’s stoic lines. “He’s my horn brother,” says Rosenboom. “He’s someone I intrinsically trust on a variety of levels.”

Throughout, Rosenboom’s trumpet leads the way. “A Paper Tiger” features a rapid-fire appearance that bends and weaves with Templeton’s alto. Rosenboom’s lines seethe with energy. For Rosenboom, “it’s a virtuosic showcase for the band to bare our teeth.”

Polarity is the 101st release on Rosenboom’s Orenda Records imprint, which boasts more than sixty artists from three continents and a wildly eclectic lineup. Rosenboom is all about bringing creative people together and showcasing their collective powers of expression. All that energy appears on Polarity making for an undeniably captivating listen from some of Southern California’s greatest instrumental talents.

Recorded February 20, 2022

Produced by Justin Stanley
Co-Produced by Dan Rosenboom
Sound Engineered and Mixed by Justin Stanley at Stella Sound Studios
Mastered by Steve Smart at Studios 301
Cover/Back Cover Photography by Brian Bixby
Band Photograph by Justin Stanley
Design and Layout by Makena Janssen

All Compositions by Daniel Rosenboom (ASCAP)
© Daniel Rosenboom Music (ASCAP), 2022
All Rights Reserved.

“The Age of Snakes” and “Tidal Mirror” composed collectively by the ensemble.
@ Daniel Rosenboom / Daniel Rosenboom Music (ASCAP), Gavin Templeton / Gavin Templeton Music (ASCAP), John Escreet / Escreet Music (SESAC), Billy Mohler / Billy Mohler Music (BMI), Damion Reid / Nothingness Music (SESAC), 2022

Dan Rosenboom endorses Yamaha Trumpets, Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces, AEA Microphones, and Kirlin Cables. Justin Stanley endorses UA Audio, Dynaudio, Overstayer, and Retro Instruments. John Escreet is a Sequential Artist. Damion Reid endorses Tama Drums, Meinl Cymbals, Vic Firth, Aquarian Drumheads, Westone In-Ear Monitors, and Trick Drums Pedals.

www.danrosenboom.com