I am looking forward to this Thursday night when a new, good friend - Elan Trotman - makes his House of Blues debut with a special gig at the Foundation Room. It should be an interesting night with the set starting at approximately 9pm.
Earlier this year, I booked Chrissy Coughlin at the Foundation Room and she played an impressive solo act on the same night that Tracy Chapman rocked the big stage at House of Blues. It was a lot of fun.
This Thursday should be equally enjoyable. Elan brings a terrific sound of soul, jazz, blues and funk to the stage and his new album portrays that sound in terrific fashion. Earlier this month, after the mayoral primary celebration in Boston, we headed over to see Elan at Wally's a small but legendary club just off the Northeastern campus trail. Earlier in the evening mayoral candidate Kevin McCrea was holding forth at Wally's. On that evening, Elan and his band really kicked it into gear to a packed joint and entertained late into the night.
I will clip a little of Elan's bio for reference and then a recent appearance on NECN which was promoting the Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival... you have to watch a Vanguard Ad first, but it's worth it:
One of the most exciting up-and-comers among a new generation of saxophonists, Elan Trotman has emerged as an exhilarating force in the world of contemporary jazz. As a composer, performer, teacher and recording artist, Elan excels in every setting. Elan has been the recipient of the award for Best Jazz Male at the New England Urban Music Awards in both 2008 and 2009. His playing, though inspired by Arturo Tappin, Grover Washington Jr and Kirk Whalum, features his own tone and fresh ideas.
Born and raised in Barbados and educated at Berklee in Boston, Elan approaches jazz in his own way. Blending Caribbean rhythms from his roots with skillful horn textures, his playing is full of surprises. Elan states, “I don’t want to limit myself to the usual format. I stretch out, take chances, and add an edge to my solos. I enjoy the genre and the concept but I also break some of the rules because that’s how I play live, bringing all of my different influences into the music.” Both inspiring and impressive, Elan’s music is never predictable.
Born and raised in Barbados and educated at Berklee in Boston, Elan approaches jazz in his own way. Blending Caribbean rhythms from his roots with skillful horn textures, his playing is full of surprises. Elan states, “I don’t want to limit myself to the usual format. I stretch out, take chances, and add an edge to my solos. I enjoy the genre and the concept but I also break some of the rules because that’s how I play live, bringing all of my different influences into the music.” Both inspiring and impressive, Elan’s music is never predictable.
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