Mike Cottone
Just Remember
Mike Cottone Music
Mike Cottone plays the trumpet with the prolific tendency of the venerable masters of the instrument. His new CD, Just Remember is a commemorative endeavor dedicated to his high school director Daniel McMurray and all others who have helped Cottone get to where he is as a jazz musician. Produced by drummer Ulysses Owens, Jr., the music has an Uptown flare bejeweled by the refined keys of Kris Bowers and the smooth caresses of Jeremy Viner on saxophone. Rounding out the ensemble are bassist Paul Sikivie and drummers Jared Schonig and Ulysses Owens, Jr.
Cottone’s expertise is creating lounging ambiences for audiences with the comfy swells of “Selah” and the sybaritic nuances of “Old Blue.” The undulating rhythm of “Gyroscope” injects a dance club vibe in the album, and the soft ripples seamed along “I’m Sure” have a contemporary jazz carriage. The wispy chordal forms strewn across “When Sunny Gets Blue” and “Stardust” produce sentimental soliloquies that speak from the heart. Cottone’s playing is graceful and moving without being domineering. He plays like he is one of the band enabling everyone’s parts to mesh into the melodies and blurring the lines that divide the instruments so everyone moves as one.
Mike Cottone’s album, Just Remember satisfies the need for beautiful sounding music. His compositions stimulate feelings of complacency and a love for living conducive to an easy-going lifestyle. Though Cottone is relatively new to the jazz circuit, he has the motivation to stay in it for the long-haul.
Musicians:
Mike Cottone – trumpet and flugelhorn, Jeremy Viner – tenor saxophone, Kris Bowers – piano, Paul Sikivie – bass, Jared Schonig – drums, Ulysses Owens, Jr. – drums
Tracklisting:
Just Remember, Selah, Old Blue, Slow Down, Gyroscope, Sloppin’, I’m Sure, When Sunny Gets Blue, Dear John, Stardust