Blues, Ballads and Beyond

Blues, Ballads and Beyond is the tenth classical/new music studio album from trombonist Mark Hetzler on the Summit Records label. It was critically acclaimed by Classical Musical Sentinel, "He can shape, flex, caress, torture, stress, accent and animate notes on the fly and bring anything he plays to life. All the pieces on this new CD were well chosen to showcase his command of the instrument, and the range of styles he easily slips into is impressive" Numerous prominent performing artists and composers are featured on the recording to include Michael Colgrass, Enrique Crespo, Daniel Schnyder, Robert Suderburg, John Stevens, and Jack Cooper.

Background
Blues, Ballads and Beyond features jazz and commercially influenced music by contemporary classical composers. The list of composers for the recording is diverse and to include Michael Colgrass, Enrique Crespo, Daniel Schnyder, Robert Suderburg, John Stevens, and Jack Cooper. American Record Guide is quoted to say Mark Hetzler is “..one of the world’s great trombone players” and the recording helps to demonstrate his prowess on the instrument. Much like his past recordings with Summit Records, this recording has a wide range of musical influences and was completed in numerous recording sessions throughout 2011-2013.

Recording Sessions

 * Throughout 2013/2014
 * all tracks recorded at Mills Concert Hall, the University of Wisconsin–Madison

Musicians

 * Trombone: Mark Hetzler
 * Percussion: Anthony Di Sanza
 * Marimba: Sean Kleve
 * Vibraphone: Brett Walter
 * Vibraphone: Joseph Murfin
 * Piano/keyboards: Vincent Fuh
 * Piano: Marthe Fischer
 * Narration: Buss Kemper
 * Bass: Nick Moran
 * Drums (set): Todd Hammes
 * Congas: Yorel Lashley

Production

 * Producer, conductor, engineer: Mark Hetzler
 * Digital Mastering: Bob Katz at Digital Domain
 * Liner Notes: Michael Colgrass, Dennis Llinás, Mark Hetzler, Daniel Schnyder, Robert Suderburg, Brian Lynn, John Stevens, Jack Cooper
 * Cover art and design: Daniel Traynor
 * Photography: Katrin Talbot

Reception
"Mind boggling is how well he plays the trombone...Unbelievable! Remarkable playing. What being a true musician is all about."

Jean-Yves Duperron - Classical Music Sentinel

"Trombonist Mark Hetzler has assembled a collection of contemporary trombone compositions that brighten the light on this often ill-considered instrument on his Blues, Ballads, and Beyond: Influences Outside the Concert Hall."

C. Michael Bailey - All About Jazz

"Listeners seeking excellent interpretations of the familiar works on this album with find it. Those seeking newer works with influences beyond the concert hall will be even better served by this album."

Jeremy Kolwinska - ITA Journal