ANOTHER CONTEXTUALIZIN' REVIEW: Although my CD has been out for a few months now and has slipped off the jazz charts (but how gratifying that was while it lasted!), there are still some nice reviews trickling in from time to time--for example, the following by Nick Bewsey, which appears both in this month's ICON Magazine and Bewsey's blog, Jazz in Space:

West Coast trumpeter, Ian Carey, might also be described as a short story writer because his songs are uniquely narrative in form. Carey, who in tone and spirit resembles Art Farmer, writes tunes that are inquisitive and probing--they go somewhere--and his fine band stands at the ready as Carey’s imagination and musicality leads the way. On trumpet or flugelhorn he casts a warm patina over eight original compositions and one cover, “Just Friends,” that illustrates the organic sounding rapport Carey shares with alto saxophonist Evan Francis, pianist Adam Shulman, bassist Fred Randolph and drummer Jon Arkin. ... As a composer, Carey encourages thoughtful interplay. Witness the tension between Carey and pianist Shulman on the moody “Questions” and further in, where Francis’ alto explores pathways of sound as if in a hedge maze, venturing one way then another all the while framed by the bassist and drummer. The most rewarding tune, “Leap Year” has a modern texture provided by Shulman on Fender Rhodes, and it grabs your ear with its loping, waltz-like structure. But start with the title tune, with its confident theme and front-line horns, because it exemplifies Carey’s natural ability to express ideas that percolate with emotion and by its conclusion, you’ll feel a satisfying release that leaves you anticipating the next tale he will tell.

... you can read the entire review here. Any press is great, of course, but reviews like this, where it's obvious the writer really thought about the music and responded to it honestly, are a real boost.GIG ALERT: For those of you in the Bay Area, I'll be playing this Friday, May 7 at the Orbit Room (on Market St.) with bassist Ollie Dudek and his trio, from 9:30pm to 1am. We'll be playing standards and jazz classics, and there's no cover. Come on by, have a cocktail and take in the sounds!

Hi folks--as you can see, the website has a new look (it was long overdue). Let me know if it's working for you. I'm planning on doing some more regular posting in the future (beyond announcements and self-promotion--because, let's face it, that gets boring), to share my thoughts on the jazz scene, the trumpet, what I've been listening to, etc.... RIGHT AFTER I get this self-promotion out of the way: first, I do want to mention that thanks to the great crowd that turned out for the CD release show, we've been invited back to Coda on Wednesday, June 16. I'm planning on having some new material ready to debut, so be sure to come down so you can say you were there THE NIGHT JAZZ CHANGED (or something).Also, the CD got a really nice review recently from The Jazz Page:

... the stuff that great jazz is made of, a blend of solid musicianship and writing. Carey's trumpet and fluegelhorn work has an inviting tone that can attract jazz aficianados and novices alike. The quintet is a terrific assemblage of talented players...

... you can read the whole thing here.Finally, as a reward for making it through the above promos, and as a preview for those who didn't make it to the release show, here's another tune from that night, the 5/4 harmonic maze called "Leap Year" (also available on CONTEXTUALIZIN'), featuring the talents of Evan Francis, Adam Shulman, Fred Randolph, and Jon Arkin. Enjoy!Ian Carey Quintet: Leap Year from Ian Carey on Vimeo.

Hi Folks--a big thank you to everyone who made it out to our CD release show last week at Coda (and thanks even to those who wanted to be there but couldn't make it). The show went really well, it's a very nice room, and as I said at the gig, after seeing so many jazz venues close lately, it's great to see a new one taking hold. (We're already talking about a return visit in June.)Here's some video from the show--our first tune of the night, "Sockdolager":More tunes to come--for now you can also check out "Sink/Swim."CONTEXTUALIZIN' @ ALL ABOUT JAZZ: Two big things going on for our new CD over at All About Jazz this week--first, the album is being featured in a "Listening Party" all this week, which means you can listen to it in its entirety for FREE! Check it out here (if you like what you hear and want to keep listening, pick up your own copy at CDBaby, iTunes, or Amazon).Second, we've gotten a nice review from the site by C. Michael Bailey:

Trumpeter Ian Carey's Contextualizin' is a digital Masters seminar. First, of course, is the music: solid, acoustic, composed, progressive, explorative. Second, is the exegesis, Carey's realization that, ..."what I played would help shape how I played..." Not technically dazzling, Carey, like Miles Davis, chooses to focus on which notes he plays (and doesn't) and their relative order as opposed to the tempo or technical exercise contained in the notes' performance. This shift in perspective moves the act of playing music from the sterile virtuosic into the informed, emotive realm, providing a solid balance...

How about that! (I was joking to a friend that I should shorten the quote to: "... like Miles Davis...") Read the whole review here.Finally, if you haven't yet, please take a second to become a fan of Ian Carey Jazz on Facebook, to keep up with all the latest gig announcements, videos, and links. Happy Spring!

Hi folks: In one short week, the Quintet will be heading to the lovely Coda Jazz Supper Club in San Francisco for our official CD Release Show, so be sure you hop on the nearest cable car, BART train, hybrid taxi, mass bicycle demonstration, or flash mob, and get yourself there. We'll be doing music from the new album, of course, plus some updated favorites from our previous CD. (I'm also told that since they will be serving food, the under-21 crowd will be welcome as well--although I'm not sure how far under 21.)WHAT: Contextualizin' CD Release ShowWHO: The Ian Carey Quintet, featuring Ian Carey, trumpet & flugelhorn; Adam Shulman, Fender Rhodes piano & Hammond B3 organ; Evan Francis, saxophone & flute; Fred Randolph, bass; and Jon Arkin, drums (+ special guests)WHERE: Coda Jazz Supper Club, 1710 Mission Street, SFWHEN: Wednesday, March 10, 7-9:30pmHOW MUCH: $5I'm also excited to share a review for Contextualizin' from Rachel Swan at our very own East Bay Express:

The album title speaks to some broader point about how Carey wants to tell his own story and create his own landscape (he describes the trumpet as a "discursive" instrument). That's not exactly high-concept, but it definitely befits the material. Of the album's nine tunes, eight are originals, and many have a tricky format... Of course, Carey's band is the real payoff. Arkin is the consummate "good pocket player." Shulman and bassist Fred Randolph help solidify the rhythm section, while Francis and Carey skate through melodies overhead. They're strong enough as a unit to take a weird idea and give it shape — or context.

You can read the entire review here.Other media news: I'll be doing an interview with Brad Stone of KSJS 90.5 FM (San Jose) this Monday the 8th at 3:30pm. (You can listen live here); I also have a "five questions"-type feature this week at All About Jazz ("Take Five with Ian Carey"), where you can learn about my deep thoughts on the state of jazz, my trip to Space Camp, and counting penguins.You'll also notice I've added a few more links at the left for purchasing the album, which is now available at CDBaby, iTunes, Amazon, LaLa, and you can download a free track from the album at All About Jazz.Finally, I'll be playing tomorrow night (3/4) at a community performance space called DivinityVoice in Oakland with an interesting new group featuring the uncanny vocal stylings of Lorin Benedict and the guitar of Eric Vogler (our drummer Bryan Bowman is unfortunately on the disabled list with a finger ouchie, but we wish him a speedy recovery). We'll be playing (definitely) strange and (hopefully) wonderful variations on classic jazz tunes. The details are:WHAT: Lorin, Eric, & IanWHO: Lorin Benedict, vocal; Ian Carey, trumpet & flugelhorn; Eric Vogler, guitarWHERE: DivinityVoice, 3609 Maple Ave, OaklandWHEN: Thursday, March 4, 8pmHOW MUCH: $10

Hi Friends & Listeners:

I'm excited to announce that we've scheduled the official CD release show next month for the Ian Carey Quintet's new album on Kabocha Records, Contextualizin'. The show will be hosted by Coda Jazz Supper Club, a great new venue in San Francisco's inner Mission district. The details:

WHAT: Contextualizin' CD Release Show
WHO: The Ian Carey Quintet, featuring Ian Carey, trumpet & flugelhorn; Adam Shulman, Fender Rhodes piano; Evan Francis, saxophone & flute; Fred Randolph, bass; and Jon Arkin, drums (+ special guests!)
WHERE: Coda, 1710 Mission Street, SF
WHEN: Wednesday, March 10, 7-9:30pm
HOW MUCH: $5

I'd love to get as many folks out to hear us as possible, so if you can only make it to one show of mine this year, this should be the one.

The album will make its radio debut and be available online and at select stores on 2/16 (UPDATE: now available!) and of course copies will be available at the show.

Hope to see you there!

UPDATE: Contextualizin' has its first review, from Midwest Record:

Carey has a solid jazz education and foundation in that he was lucky enough to have a slew of your fave jazzbos as teachers along the course of his musical education. Getting his inspiration from the source, he plays with a real feel and understanding of what it's all about. A trumpeter that knows how to give the rest of his ensemble some, he's one of those cats you don't really know that can load the deck with originals and not scare you away. Certainly a welcoming release, he shows he has everything it takes to go the distance and delight us all the way... this is clearly the real deal.

Hello jazz aficionados, friends, stalkers, and people who stumbled here looking for pictures of "Wynton Marsalis shirtless":First, I'm genuinely stoked (as the kids say) to announce that the new, as-yet-untitled album by the Ian Carey Quintet is nearly finished. (I'm 90% done with mixing, which will be followed by mastering by Bay Area sound guru Ken Lee, then duplication, then...) The disc will feature 8 of my original compositions and one re-invented standard, and I hope to have it out by late fall.I also wanted to tell you about a few shows I've got coming up which I think you'd enjoy. First up is this Friday, when I'm going to be playing with the Ben Stolorow Quartet, on a double bill with his new project with his sister Stephanie called "Stoli Rose" (Get it?!)We'll be going on second, and playing original music by the band, plus a couple of rarely-heard jazz classics. Come on down!WHAT: Stoli Rose + Ben Stolorow QuartetWHO: Stephanie Stolorow, vocal; Ben Stolorow, piano; Ian Carey, trumpet; Noah Shencker, bass; Bryan Bowman, drumsWHEN: Friday, September 18, 8pmWHERE: Square One Yoga Collective, EmeryvilleHOW MUCH: $10 (That's only $5 per band!)Next up is a straight-ahead jazz hoedown at the Epicenter cafe with the great Jack Riordan plus Adam Gay and Bryan Bowman. We'll be hitting the standards/jazz classics shed.WHAT: Ian Carey Quartet w/ Jack RiordanWHO: Me, trumpet; Jack Riordan, guitar; Adam Gay, bass; Bryan Bowman, drumsWHEN: Wednesday, September 30, 6-8:30pmWHERE: Epicenter Cafe, San FranciscoHOW MUCH: Free!