Trombonist Chris Shuttleworth’s debut album, Document, offers a compelling snapshot of a musician in full bloom. The Portland-based player showcases his compositional and improvisational skills with a quartet rooted in Chicago, featuring the formidable talents of Dustin Laurenzi (saxophone), Matt Ulery (bass), and Jeremy Cunningham (drums). The album title suggests a personal statement, and Shuttleworth delivers with a collection of original music that reflects a deep understanding of both modern jazz and its rich history.
Shuttleworth’s trombone playing is marked by a warm, lyrical tone and a technical prowess that belies his relative youth. His writing is equally impressive, balancing complex harmonies with infectious melodies without the use of harmonic accompaniment. The rhythm section, anchored by Ulery’s solid bass playing and Cunningham’s propulsive drumming, provides a strong foundation for Shuttleworth and Laurenzi’s explorations. Laurenzi complements Shuttleworth’s sound with his fluid, expressive playing.
The album begins with a pensive chorale, lush with harmony and counterpoint. “Westward” quickly shifts to one of the things that makes this album so exciting. The opening tune features a playful bouncing tempo with the trombone maintaining a more active rhythmic role while the tenor sax melody soars over long, graceful bass notes. It immediately declares that this ensemble is going to approach the music in a different way than a typical jazz quartet. Shuttleworth’s solo on the opening track demonstrates his high-flying virtuosity and warm sound that permeate the entire record.
“Clockwork” is another example of the instruments working in separate roles that come together to paint a bigger picture. Laurenzi’s tone and approach are reminiscent of Chris Cheek, and Ulery’s bass work propels the texture along, and never leave the listener missing chordal accompaniment.
The driving, almost rock-like vibe in “Baba Squatchee” keeps the listener on their toes while making their head bob to the laid back groove. Ulery’s bass solo deftly navigates the form between interjecting themes. This keeps the texture shifting and interesting throughout. Cunningham’s interactions with both the horn soloists and Ulery’s active bass playing are supportive and suggestive. The tune shifts into a frenetic rubato section and gradually morphs into something evocative of the Paul Motian trio and their way of keeping melodies free of time, but still moving.
As a whole, Document is a promising debut that hints at a bright future for Chris Shuttleworth as a player and as a composer/bandleader. It’s everything PJCE Records has always tried to be. Original, thoughtfully composed jazz music by Portland musicians in need of more recognition.
In Shuttleworth’s words:
“In late 2016 I was sitting in the bar of Constellation Chicago talking with Matt Ulery about his double LP release “Festival”. In my youth and naiveté, I asked him why he didn’t separate the release into two separate albums so that he could get the promotional / album release career bump twice. He paused for a moment, then looked at me and said plainly: “This is just documentation for me so that I can move on to the next thing”.
I never truly understood what he meant until I moved to Portland a few years later. I’d written all this music specifically for these three players, and I didn’t realize what a privilege it was to get to play it with them frequently. This album was made to document this specific ensemble playing this specific music. I hope you enjoy what we’ve made.”
Album Details
Artist: Chris Shuttleworth Quartet
Title: Document
Personnel: Chris Shuttleworth (trombone), Dustin Laurenzi (tenor saxophone), Matt Ulery (acoustic bass), Jeremy Cunningham (drums)
Track listing: Run time:
Westward 06:29
Clockwork 06:32
Baba Squatchee 06:22
The Fighter 07:33
Hobbs 08:39
Husk 06:38
Total Run Time 42:17
All compositions by Chris Shuttleworth (ASCAP)
Recorded by Dave Miller
Mixed by Dave Miller
Recorded at Whiskey Point Recording
Recording date: 9/11/23
Mastered by: Dana White at Specialized Mastering
Executive Producer: Ryan Meagher
Art by Tiny Little Hammers
PJCER 066
BIO
Originally from Eugene, Oregon, Chris Shuttleworth moved to Chicago to pursue a Jazz Studies degree at the prestigious DePaul University School of Music, where he studied under a number of staples of the Chicago music scene, including Dennis Carroll, Mark Fisher, and Charles Vernon. He has shared the stage with many diverse acts ranging from jazz heavyweights such as Wycliffe Gordon, Chuck Israels, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Randy Brecker, Ken Peplowski, Greg Ward, Matt Ulery, and Dana Hall, to pop acts including Beats Antique, Hellogoodbye, The Temptations, and The Four Tops. He has also toured extensively as a leader and a sideman, having performed in the majority of the United States as well as internationally as far as Shanghai.
photo by Camille Bruya