A fine anthology of recent music for trumpet by American composers, in basically tonal ‘post-modernist’ idiom and with a wide range; three pieces for trumpet with piano in traditional ‘sonata-accompaniment’ style, songs with trumpet obbligato and two works for trumpet and tenor sax duo, quite unique works from two very differently inspired composers.

These are first recordings and feature one of America’s foremost trumpeters, Chris Gekker, currently Professor of Trumpet at the University of Maryland, who has appeared as guest soloist with the New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony and other leading orchestras and opera companies. Fine performances throughout from Chris Vadala (Director of Jazz Studies at University of Maryland), Clara O’Brien (Associate Professor of Voice at the University of North Carolina), and Rita Sloan, who is a faculty member at Maryland and also of the Aspen Music Festival among many other activities.