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Samuel Blaser

Samuel Blaser is a 21st century trombonist. Born in 1981 in the town of La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Swizterland, he emerged professionally after graduating from conservatory in 2002. During the next five years he developed associations with the Vienna Art Orchestra and the European Radio Big Band, was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, pursued graduate studies at the Purchase College Conservatory of Music, State University of New York, and recorded his first album as a leader, the Samuel Blaser Quartet’s 7th Heaven (Between The Lines). Since 2009 he has been based in Berlin.

The foundations of Blaser’s art are the breadth of his influences, his technical fluency, and the clarity with which he applies these assets. He grew up learning classical and Swiss folk music as well as jazz, and his projects include jazz-informed investigations of operatic, rock stead, and blues music. He understands that growth is relational, and has sought out and sustained relationships with veteran and senior musicians, such as Pierre Favre, John Hollenbeck, Gerry Hemingway, Marc Ducret, Paul Motian, Oliver Lake, and Daniel Humair, all of whom have helped him to develop his own sense of who he is. He exercises the full range of the trombone’s possibilities, including fluid melodic statements, emphatic rhythmic punctuations, earthy interjections, and abstract sound effects, with a clear sense of purpose. He approaches each endeavor as a leader and collaborator with a clear sense of purpose, knowing what he wants to accomplish and what each musical situation requires from him. Blaser’s responsiveness is never more evident than in his solo performances, which use his bold sound to draw out the qualities of both architectural and environmental settings.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced all musicians to suspend touring. But Blaser’s response illustrated another aspect of his resourcefulness. While he was off the road, he set up an internet label, Blaser Music, which issued its first four releases during the spring and summer. And as soon as Europe began to reopen, he returned to the stage, playing concerts with Samuel Blaser Quartet, Humair Blaser Känzig, and as a sideman for Michel Portal and Marc Ducret.

Awards

Prix du Musicien Européen, Académie du Jazz Paris, 2019 Rising Star Trombonist, DownBeat, 2020

Gear

KROMAT


Tags

93
Album Review

Helveticus: Our Way

Read "Our Way" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Helveticus makes a striking contribution to the jazz scene with its second album, Our Way. Comprised of a Swiss super-trio featuring the distinguished Samuel Blaser on trombone, the legendary Daniel Humair on drums, and the versatile Heiri Känzig on bass, this ensemble offers a masterclass in musical constructive interaction and innovation, blending original compositions, jazz standards, and Swiss folk songs. The opening track “IRA," sets an invigorating tone, with Blaser's trombone leading the melodic charge, weaving complex, soul-stirring ...

3
Album Review

Samuel Blaser: Routes

Read "Routes" reviewed by Chris May


The Jamaican trombonist Don Drummond (1934-1969), the inspiration for Routes, was in certain respects a mid-twentieth Jamaican parallel of the New Orleans cornetist Buddy Bolden (1877-1931). Bolden pioneered jazz in the US, Drummond in Jamaica. Both achieved mythic proportions during their lifetimes and both their legends endure. Both, tragically, spent their final years in what were then called insane asylums. One difference between the two musicians is that, while no recording of Bolden has survived, if indeed ...

3
Radio & Podcasts

Samuel Blaser, Aka Moon, Michael Blake, La Marmite Infernale & Other New Releases

Read "Samuel Blaser, Aka Moon, Michael Blake, La Marmite Infernale & Other New Releases" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


Around the world in a playlist, which features Latin and Caribbean influeces, touches of Indian music, spiritual jazz, Brazilian aromas, microtonal atmospheres, and visceral electro-acoustic outbursts. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme" 0:00 The Kevin Fingier Collective “Latin Dynamite" Latin Dynamite--Single (Acid Jazz) 0:16 Host talks 3:04 Samuel Blaser “Chronicles" Routes (Yellowbird/Enja) 4:46 João Selva “Passarinho" Passarinho--Single (Underdog) 9:16 Host talks 13:35 Michael Blake's Chroma Nova “Little Demons" Dance of the Mystic Bliss (P&M) ...

8
Liner Notes

Samuel Blaser: As the Sea

Read "Samuel Blaser: As the Sea" reviewed by John Kelman


Plenty has been written about musical camaraderie--the building of long-term musical relationships and their unmistakable impact on the evolution of a group. Few, however, discuss the inevitable impact of personal relationships behind the music. Times have changed, and few jazz groups tour for more than a couple of consecutive weeks; still, hitting the road for even two weeks is sure to mean plenty of “up close and personal" time amongst band members. Samuel Blaser's Boundless (hatOLOGY, 2011) was recorded during ...

2
Live Review

Blaser Ducret Bruun Trio at Hakasalmen Huvila

Read "Blaser Ducret Bruun Trio at Hakasalmen Huvila" reviewed by Anthony Shaw


Blaser Ducret Bruun Trio Hakasalmen Huvila Finnish Tour Helsinki November 14, 2022 Samuel Blaser has a glittering past, with glowing reviews of his considerable career in journals from around the globe. The performance of his trio in this modest-but-elegant salon a stone's throw from Helsinki's main railway station, alongside his old accomplices Marc Ducret on guitar and Peter Braun on drums did nothing if not bolster the virtuoso reputation he has garnered.

2
Album Review

Alban Darche: Le Gros Cube #2

Read "Le Gros Cube #2" reviewed by Alberto Bazzurro


La passione di Alban Darche, quarantasettenne tenorsassofonista e compositore bretone, per i grossi organici è nota: ce ne siamo già occupati diverse volte, su queste colonne. Questo suo ultimo lavoro, edito come d'uso su Yolk Music, non fa eccezione: diciotto elementi, big band che più classica non si potrebbe. Per una volta (almeno rispetto al passato) anche in quanto a linguaggio espressivo-espositivo, che si riconnette mani e piedi alla grande tradizione orchestrale, inserendo i soli, che ovviamente non mancano, sopra ...

Album Review

Sebastien Ammann's Color Wheel: Resilience

Read "Resilience" reviewed by Alberto Bazzurro


Lo svizzero Sebastien Ammann, di professione pianista e compositore, guida in questo elegante, solido album un quintetto dalle geometrie ben definite e dai percorsi espressivo-espositivi conseguenti. Magari non vi si respirerà tutta l'originalità di questa terra, ma il lavoro d'insieme (soprattutto) è ottimamente congegnato e condotto, e sul piano solistico tutto procede analogamente, col trombone di Samuel Blaser una spanna sopra gli altri (peraltro sempre all'altezza della situazione). Subito l'iniziale “Yayoi" ci introduce eloquentemente entro i meandri ...

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118

Recording

Music Listening: Samuel Blaser, Atomic, R.E.M.

Music Listening: Samuel Blaser, Atomic, R.E.M.

Source: Music and More by Tim Niland

Samuel Blaser—Consort in Motion (Kind of Blue, 2011) This is a chamber jazz album filled with hushed tones and thoughtfully designed improvisations between Samuel Blaser on trombone, Russ Lossing on piano, Thmoas Morgan on bass and Paul Motian on drums. The interaction between between Blaser's delicately smeared and articulated trombone and Motian's minimalist percussion creates a quiet, intimate album that requires and concentration and contemplation. “Si Dolce è l'Tormento" and “Reflections on Vespro della Beata Vergine" nudge the tempos slightly ...

178

Radio

The Jazz Session #161: Samuel Blaser

The Jazz Session #161: Samuel Blaser

Source: Michael Ricci


One of trombonist/composer talents is his uncanny ability to as fully distinguish himself accompanying other musicians as when he is leading theme — Doug Collette, All About Jazz

a fantastic musician who’s one of the freshest trombone talents we’ve heard in years! — Dusty Groove

An intrepid, — Nate Chinen / New York Times (Read the full review)

Primary Instrument

Trombone

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

https://www.hkb-musik.ch/jazz/dozierende/samuel-blaser

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Our Way

Self Produced
2024

buy

Routes

Enja
2023

buy

Le Gros Cube #2

Yolk Records
2021

buy

Resilience

Skirl Records
2020

buy

Taktlos Zurich 2017

Hat Hut Records
2018

buy

Oostum

NoBusiness Records
2018

buy

Videos

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