Rising Star – Jeremy Pelt

Trumpet Dude — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:35:42 +0000

As I promised in the ‘About’ section of this site, I will discover and promote as many modern day and up and coming artists as possible. Well today, I came across one such artist. He is a relatively young cat named Jeremy Pelt. From the pieces I have heard, he is truly an artist, one who not only sounds good but one truly expresses musical ideas in an experimental and expressive manner. A short while after graduating from Berklee College of Music in 1998, Jeremy began to play with the Minus Big Band in New York. Since that time he has had much success, voted rising star for five years in a row by Downbeat and featured on the cover of both Downbeat and Jazz Colour. He has been fortunate to play with some of today’s and yesterday’s jazz luminaries, including Ravi Coltrane, Vincent Herring, Nancy Wilson, Bobby “Blue” Bland, The Skatalites and many more. He has also been featured in the Roy Hargrove Band and the Duke Ellington Big Band.

Jeremy has completed several successful projects on his own. Since 2002 he has released six albums. His debut album entitled, ‘Profile’ will make you think your listening to a time traveled and energized Freddie Hubbard, polished power. Jim Sontello of All About Jazz writes that “Pelt rides a wave of straight ahead dreams.” This album contains eight great compositions demonstrating Pelt’s formidable chops and clarion tone.

After several other successful projects, Pelt came out with an album entitled, ‘Shock Value.’ A must have for you progressive types that like your jazz with some sizzle and a biting edge. On ‘Shock Value’, Pelt dives deep into the type of electronic gadgetry that Miles experimented with in the early seventies. This is all tastefully done in a way that lets Pelt utilize the artistic tools available to him. This is a live production and a must have in my opinion. After hearing this I definitely need to add a wah-wah peddle to my want list though!

Pelt’s most recent release entitled, ‘November’ is a far different, more refined project than ‘Shock Value.’ It pays homage to the sound of Wayne Shorter circa 1965 but with a modern pulse. With his tightly knit quintet, Pelt once again puts forth beautiful compositions that demonstrate his warmth and depth, each of the nine pieces like a new personal discovery.

You can hear some samples of Mr. Pelt’s work by clicking the links below.

Trumpet Dude» Jeremy Pelt

Rising Star – Jeremy Pelt