Dave Douglas presents "What We Live: Trumpets," a captivating exploration into the realms of free jazz, recorded live at The Western Front in Vancouver, B.C., Canada on November 1, 1996. This album, released on December 28, 1999 under the Black Saint label, is a testament to Douglas's virtuosity on the trumpet, accompanied by the stellar contributions of Wadada Leo Smith on trumpet, Larry Ochs on tenor and soprano sax, Lisle Ellis on bass, and Donald Robinson on drums.
Spanning five tracks and clocking in at just over an hour, "What We Live: Trumpets" offers a dynamic journey through contemporary and free improvisation styles. The album opens with "Second Breath," setting the stage for the intricate interplay between the musicians. "Stone Heated Distance" and "Orbital" delve deeper into the free jazz idiom, showcasing the collective's ability to navigate complex rhythms and harmonies with ease. "Soft City" and "Song Of Roland" round out the album, each offering a unique blend of improvisation and composition that highlights the individual strengths of the ensemble.
Dave Douglas's "What We Live: Trumpets" is not just an album but a live performance captured in time, offering a raw and unfiltered experience of the musicians at their best. The album's reissue in 2024 ensures that new audiences can discover the timeless brilliance of this recording, while longtime fans can revisit the magic of this extraordinary collaboration.
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