Almost Home is both an affirmation of where Birkey has been and a solid indicator of where he's headed, as one of the more intriguing "new"-yet mature and self-aware voices on the current jazz scene.

10 MP3 Songs in this album (58:08) !
Related styles: JAZZ: Jazz Vocals, JAZZ: Latin Jazz

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For many years, trumpeter-vocalist Nate Birkey has been steadily honing his distinctive art form, that of making a âmainstream jazzâ statement at once warm and creatively vibrant, true to tradition but also willing to break molds for a musical purpose. For several years, the Colorado native was based in Santa Barbara, California, where he had studied at UC Santa Barbara after attending Berklee School of Music in Boston. But an eastward move to New York in 2005 has broadened Birkeyâs horizons and deepened both his artistic resolve and his musical evolution.
With the release of "Almost Home", his fifth album for the Santa Barbara-based Household Ink label, Birkey takes another step upward and outward, on his first recording made with his NYC-based group. Saxist Sal Giorgianni, pianist Jim Ridl, bassist Tony Marino and drummer Marko Marcinko (also the albumâs co-producer, with Birkey) make up the core members of Birkeyâs long-favored quintet format. Guests include guitarist Vic Juris, pianist Steve Rudolph, and Café on congas.
Deftly mixing standards tastefully delivered (Cole Porterâs âAll of Youâ Michel Legrandâs âLittle Boy Lostâ), warm and imaginative originals in various genre leanings, and material from less-trodden sourcesâi.e. Willie Nelsonâs âIâm Falling in Love,â and Ennio Morriconeâs theme from Cinema Paradisoâthe album continues Birkeyâs engaging way with a song, as a fluid improviser and vocalist of understated grace. If there is a romantic tendency in Birkeyâs music, with its unabashed nods to Chet Bakerâs influence and an appreciation of Italianate beauty, as heard in Sandro Deiddaâs opening tune, âBianca,â Birkey keeps musicality and intelligence high, never settling for easy sentiment.
This summer, Birkey will be presenting his bold new project in a series of CD release
shows, in the U.S. and Europe. Almost Home is both an affirmation of where Birkey has been and a solid indictator of where heâs headed, as one of the more intriguing ânewââyet mature and self-aware--voices on the current jazz scene. His sound is timeless and timely, emotionally true and going places.

âNate Birkey, he of mysterious charisma, subtle gossamer trumpet lines and understated voice, hunches over the microphone and leans into his phrases, shutting out the world.â

Josef Woodard, Los Angeles Times