Joseph Daley, Warren Smith, Scott Robinson

Joseph Daley, Warren Smith, Scott Robinson: The Tuba Chronicles CD Reviews

In its most perfect form, the essence of tribute is not to simply recreate or even re-interpret its subject’s music, but rather to use it as an inspiration to make one’s own contribution within that same spirit. With his new album The Tuba Trio Chronicles (JoDa Music), the brilliant composer/arranger/low brass specialist Joseph Daley has accomplished that in ideal fashion, with a stunning dedication to the visionary composer, saxophonist, flautist, pianist Sam Rivers.

Before releasing three heavily-acclaimed orchestral albums of his own compositions (The Seven Deadly Sins, The Seven Heavenly Virtues and Portraits: Wind, Thunder and Love) that have brought him into the company of the most revered jazz composers, Joseph Daley had earned a well-deserved reputation as a consummate sideman. His impeccable low-brass artistry has enhanced the music of heavyweights like Gil Evans, Carla Bley, Charlie Haden, Taj Mahal and so many others. But his first international prominence came about through his work with Rivers’ ensembles, particularly Sam’s groundbreaking Tuba Trio. It is this experience and his time spent at Sam’s legendary center of NYC’s ‘70s loft scene Studio RivBea that has inspired The Tuba Trio Chronicles.

The third member of Sam’s Tuba Trio was the outstanding percussion master Warren Smith, whose presence on this album not only adds to the authenticity of the homage, but also powerfully displays the radiant musicianship that Warren has brought to so many jazz, classical and popular artists in his 60+ years in music. Rounding out the trio is the outstanding reedman/multi-instrumentalist Scott Robinson, whose inspired and imaginative playing does enormous justice to the artistry of the man who led the original Tuba Trio.


Unlike most tribute attempts, this album does not focus upon Sam’s splendid compositions (with one very notable exception), nor does it attempt to recreate that classic music. Instead it aims for the realization of that most special substance of transcendence and spiritual force that was at the core of Sam’s music, utilizing the basic structure that Sam, Joseph and Warren explored so luminously some 30 to 40 years ago. And in that pursuit, these three gentlemen have succeeded in spectacular form – with the passion, urgency, virtuosity, majesty, boldness and unfettered imagination that were the hallmarks of Sam Rivers – all infused with the synergy and unity of spirit essential to music at this level..... CDBaby, November 2015

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