Very Strange Night, Samson Trinh, Composer/ Conductor
April 2007 Jazz Society of Oregon
Rarely do you come across a young artist who stakes a claim as a composer first and foremost. Trinh is that rare breed. The 23-year old from Virginia follows in the line of the Gunther Schuller’s of the world, willing to hold a baton and sheet music rather than an instrument. Trinh apparently was born in the wrong decade, since his music harkens back to some of Ellington and Kenton’s more ambitious work, even in the recording style, which comes across as retro-mono with a modern twist. The opening track, “To You, Near You, With You,” is a 40s-era style vocal track with singer Terri Murphy backed by a big band orchestra. He takes it swinging, with “I Can’t Believe I’m Addicted to the O.C.”, a humorous title for a track that sounds like it could be an outtake from “Anatomy of a Murder.” This actually sounds like a soundtrack for a film noir, and effectively so. Trinh is effective in his retro sensibilities, even courting western swing and 70s hard fusion, a la Miles Davis circa 1968. While his arranging and compositional skills are spot on, it would be nice to hear something that sounds a bit more modern, so that one could gauge where he can go, rather than having to settle for his retro personality. Lounge Union Music, 2006; Playing Time: 35 Minutes, ****.