Kevin Kastning :: In Visible Ascent

In Visible Ascent :: Quotes and Reviews

In Visible Ascent - Kevin Kastning & Phil Grenadier

"Announcing In Visible Ascent, the new Greydisc Records album from Kevin Kastning (US) and Phil Grenadier (US) is a real privilege to us and the 2nd time that we have a pleasure to face the incredible music universe that Kevin’s Duo concepts are. Like the collaboration we heralded the last month, with bassist Bruno Raberg, also here we have a rare opportunity to listen to two very distinctive voices, which approach the air with very specific pace and the sense of space.

Just like the last time, we have the same pattern here. This is their first album together, and is the beginning of an ongoing series of album projects. This pairing of instruments provides a unique palette for these two new compositions for 36-string Double Contraguitar and Trumpet. Kevin and Phil have an immediate artistic connection which can be heard in both of these modern compositions.

Two new compositions of advanced and symphonic compositional scale, which constitute this album, are not only pointing into a new direction but also exploring the different aspects of the sonoric sensitivity and capability to response to what comes next. After all, despite of the expanded framework, there are still just two instruments and two individuals behind them.

*** BIOs ***

KK

Kevin Kastning attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, and has studied privately with guitar legend Pat Metheny. Kevin has composed over 200 works for various solo and chamber group instrumentation. Kevin has recorded albums with Alex de Grassi, Michael Manring, Mark Wingfield, Carl Clements, Sandor Szabo, and others.

Kevin is the inventor of the 36- string Double Contraguitar (see photo at above), the 17-string Extended Hybrid Classical (both featured on this album), the 30-string Contra-Alto guitar, the 28- and 24-string Double Contraguitars, the 15-string Extended Classical guitar, the 16- and 17-string Contraguitars, and others. Kevin’s discography extends to over 50 albums. Since 2019, Kevin has had 16 albums in first-round voting for the Grammy® Awards. He resides in Maine USA.

phil-grenadier-cigar-high-res

Throughout a career that spans three decades, trumpeter Phil Grenadier has emerged as one of jazz’s most imaginative and innovative players. His two albums as leader, 2000’s Sweet Transients and 2003’s Playful Intentions, have won him copious international acclaim, while his collaborations with a broad array of notable musicians demonstrate the raw talent and adventurousness that led the San Jose Mercury News to call him “a trumpeter of rare fluency and depth.” Growing up in a musical family in San Francisco, he and his brothers Larry and Steve were all introduced to trumpet in childhood by their father Albert, who handed his lifelong love of music down to his sons.

Although Larry and Steve eventually gravitated towards bass and guitar, respectively, Phil wholeheartedly embraced the possibilities of trumpet and made the instrument the focus of his musical life. The three brothers played together in their high-school band and various other combos, performing together at such renowned festivals as the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Russian River Jazz Festival and the San Francisco Jazz Festival.

Meanwhile, Phil’s rapidly-developing trumpet skills won him considerable attention around his hometown. By the time he was 16, he was working regularly as a sideman, performing alongside such legends as Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, George Shearing, Tony Bennett, Carlos Santana, James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr., Dionne Warwick and Steve Smith’s Vital Information. He was just 17 when he was voted Best Jazz Soloist by both Down Beat magazine and the California Music Educators Association.

A move to New York in 1988 helped to further broaden Grenadier’s musical horizons. There, he taught jazz trumpet at the Mannes College of Music, and worked extensively with noted saxophonist/composer Bob Belden, playing on two of Belden’s Blue Note albums and numerous live gigs. Another strong influence during Phil’s New York years was his work with pianist Richie Beirach, with whom he worked extensively in a duo situation. “That was a great learning experience,” he recalls. “Performing with such a harmonic genius reinforced my natural affinity for ‘outside’ improvising, and spurred me to dig deeper in myself.” During his time in New York, Grenadier also performed and recorded with such notable musicians as Owen Howard, Chris Potter and Seamus Blake.

In 1995, Grenadier relocated to Boston, where he’s continued to embrace new musical challenges while recording and performing around the world. 2000 saw the release of his first album as a leader, Sweet Transients, which also featured Ethan Iverson and Bill Stewart. It was followed in 2003 by Playful Intentions, whose cast also included the likes of Kurt Rosenwinkel and Jeff Ballard.

While continuing to develop his own music, Grenadier has remained in demand as a sideman and collaborator. One particularly fulfilling project has been his work with seminal guitarist John Scofield. In 2007, Grenadier toured across Europe, South America and the United States with Scofield’s group, which also included bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Bill Stewart, with the tour culminating in a sold-out performance at NYC’s Carnegie Hall.

In addition to leading his own acclaimed Boston-based trio (with whom he recently completed a soon-to-be-released new album), Grenadier continues to maintain productive working relationships with saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, with whom he’s recorded two albums and toured Europe; and Portuguese drummer Joao Lencastre, with whom he’s made four albums.

In addition to the aforementioned musicians, Grenadier has played on more than 50 albums while working with a varied assortment of artists, including Kenny Barron, Larry Goldings, Kevin Hays, Marc Copland, Bill Carrothers, Chris Potter, Anthony Braxton, George Garzone, Mick Goodrick, Brad Shepik, Billy Kilson, John Hollenbeck, Gerald Cleaver, Bob Moses, Drew Gress, Ira Coleman, Bob Nieske, Harvey Wainapel and brother Larry Grenadier."

- G Point Audio (UK)
August 2024

"Congrats! In Visible Ascent is a lovely album. The trumpet/contra combo is perfect. P.S. when I want to just close my eyes and drift, lately I’ve been streaming your albums. With all of the craziness in the world these days, your music is a lovely reprieve!"

- Stanley Grill (US)
Award-winning composer

"In Visible Ascent is fantastic! You should be very proud of this."

- Mark Wingfield (UK)
August 2024

"Just gave In Visible Ascent a listen. It's definitely unique among your collaborations. Great tonal pairing. I love the ending of "The Wind said..." Your playing perfectly complements Phil's."

- D. Siegfried (US)
August 2024

"In Visible Ascent I find extraordinary. I am especially thrilled with the duo of trumpet and guitar. This is something really special to me. Very good work my friend!"

- Dieter Kaudel, K&K Sound (US/Germany)
August 2024