10 Seconds: Christ-Stéphane Boizi

"Hey, my name’s Christ-Stéphane Boizi and I’m a trombonist, composer and bandleader. This was real rough, but I went with tunes and moments that are etched in my memory upon listen. A lot of my choices are based on nostalgia and what has helped steer my musical processes.

You’ll be able to tell I’ve got quite a ‘thing’ going on for all things super hard bop and post bop. Super grateful to George for asking me to do this. Here’s my favourite 10 seconds. Enjoy!."

- Christ-Stéphane Boizi

1. Kenny Garrett - J. Mac (0'48" - 0'58")

from Kenny Garrett - Seeds From The Underground (2012)

"I haven’t heard explosive playing quite like Kenny Garrett's, and this tune in its entirety encapsulates that. Kenny Garrett is swinging like a mofo and it’s up there. Ronald Bruner the drummer, is playing his ass off!! So much intensity right from the off! It’s amazing. As Sam ‘Barrell’ Jones would say: “Drillings”!!

2. Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Calling Ms Khadija (0'28" -0'38")

from Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Indestructible (1966)

"It would be remiss of me to not mention an Art Blakey record or two on this edition of 10 seconds. Curtis Fuller (trombone) is playing like a mofo too. It’s swinging. That’s one thing that’s guarantee when you put on some Blakey in any format and any iteration of the Ensemble. I particularly love this record because the head is just perfect, nothing more, nothing less. That’s the best way to describe the music and playing on this record… as Goldilocks would put it “Just Right” (rogue reference, I know.)."

3. Mark Kavuma- Into the Darkness (1'11" - 1'21")

from Mark Kavuma - Kavuma (2018)

"If you know me I think you knew this was coming sooner or later. It wouldn’t make sense to not mention this record. It’s safe to say I am probably the biggest Kavuma fanboy there is, fight me. William Cleasby’s drum solo at the top of this record is so killing. My favourite bit, my favourite 10 seconds rather, has to be when Connor Chaplin’s comes in with the bass, alongside Deschanel on the piano. Mannn!! This is one of the first records I sunk my teeth into properly; I’m grateful it is. I learn from it every time I check it out."

4. Jackie McClean - On The Nile (0'00" - 0'10")

from Jackie McClean - Jacknife (1966)

"This entire record has to be, hands down, one of my favourite of all time. When I first got hipped to it a couple years ago, I had it on repeat none stop. Thanks Mejedi! That intro, damn. Then the blowing on the entire tune is incredible; everyone is in top form. It’s also the first time I got hipped to the genius of Jack DeJohnette’s drumming; complete control. It’s like having Kevin DeBruyne controlling the middle of the park. Again, niche reference haha, DeJohnette is really dictating the ebb and flow of the blowing through his comping and the link up of Willis, Ridley and DeJohnette is so killing."

5. Geri Allen - Unconditional Love (1'50" - 2'00")

from Geri Allen - The Life of a Song (2004)

"Geri Allen, Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette (again). An incredible trio. We talk about the title of tunes a lot and how they help to direct the playing and thus overall message behind the music. This does exactly. You feel loved listening to this tune, I certainly did. DeJohnette’s cymbals and brushes are so direct yet so light and playful. And the synchronicity is amazing to hear. Geri Allen’s playing is second to none!"

6. Orrin Evans - Meant To Shine (2'13" - 2'23")

from Orrin Evans – Meant To Shine (2002)

"Continuing down the same route of swinging records, this is no different. During my first year at College, I did loads of listening to Orrin Evans’ records. It’s then I learnt about Sean Jones (trumpet) and JD Allen (tenor). What a magical frontline. Joined by a rhythm section of Lucques Curtis and the great Bill Stewart this entire record is hard hitting and has some of great moments of interplay. Check out Mumbo Jumbo (the tune after)- it’s all in the name, it’s super killing! Talk to Sultan Stevenson about this record- you’ll be there for longer than 10 seconds. Dig."

7. Giveton Gelin - The Worshipper (0'52" - 1'02")

from Giveton Gelin - True Design (2020)

"The aforementioned Sultan Stevenson, hipped me to this record a couple years ago. And I’m sure he’ll agree in me saying that this record is super sincere as well as being quite simply killing. I think it’s hard to strike that balance and this does just that. Giveton Gelin is a bad cat, heavily influenced by Roy Hargrove, who we’ll mention soon enough. You can hear what he’s picked up from Roy but his own genius radiates through very blatantly. This is one of the first albums that helped me understand how I’d like to start writing my own music."

8. Curtis Fuller - These Wee Small Hours of the Morning (3'45" - 3'55")

from Curtis Fuller - Soul Trombone (1961)

"The first Fuller Record I checked out in its entirety. I’m pretty sure I can sing you every head/ melody on this album. Fuller is at the top of his game which is insane because it’s one of his earlier records, 1961 I believe. His writing is completely off the chain. This particular record is one of my favourites because you really hear Curtis’ round and sound over this standard. You also hear elements of JJ in his playing, more on JJ later. He’s really punching those notes out and it sounds so Phat!! Check out Ladies’ Night off this same record. It’s quite the crowd pleaser and an absolute swinger of a tune."

9. Ruben Fox - A Brighter Day (2'39" - 2'49")

from Ruben Fox - A Brighter Day (2021)

"Ruben Fox, another amazing people I have the constant joy of learning from and being around. When this heat dropped I had it on repeat. I’m not too sure what the context of the tune is and where it originated from. I do remember, however, learning this tune by ear at a Kinetika Bloco Summer School some years. “Step by Step, Mile by Mile, we’ll make it.” Whenever I listen to it, it puts a little pep in my step. It’s hard to pinpoint my favourite ten seconds on this record but have a listen to Corey Wilcox on the trombone. I got his solo down a couple years ago and I find myself constantly revisiting it. "Rube", as I like to call him has some serious hitters on this record, in the aforementioned Corey Wilcox, Giveton Gelin also mentioned prior, Kyle Poole, Mathis Picard, and Russell Hall with guest vocalists Samara Joy, Shenel Johns and Vuyo Sotashe. A real who’s who’s of the New York Scene. Go check it if you haven’t."

J.J. Johnson - Lover Man (1'24" - 1'34")

from J.J. Johnson - J.J. Johnson (1953)

"I’ll be very honest it was a toss up between picking Laura off the Trombone Master and this beauty of a composition which features JJ at this absolute finest. That being said he doesn’t ever put a foot wrong in my eyes. He’s always at the top of his game, I’d expect nothing less from the man who helped show that the trombone has a place under the bebop umbrella. I’ve never heard a trombone sound as round and measured before and this record is one of the many that showcases this."

Honourable mentions:

Sean Jones - God's Gift (2'26" - 2'36")