Acclaimed American trumpet player Chris Gekker has just made his second album for Métier, the new-music division of Divine Art Recordings.  This collection of new and recent works (all but one are world premiere recordings) by a range of American composers including Richard Auldon Clark, Carson Cooman and Lance Hulme, demonstrates the mellow and lyrical aspect of the trumpet. Chris Gekker uses descriptions such as “warmly expressive” and “hauntingly beautiful”.  However even though the album is largely ‘laid-back’ it’s never lacking in depth, meaning and ‘soul’. 

Adding to the richness of the sound world Chris Gekker is joined by pianist Rita Sloan (who also featured strongly in the previous Gekker album) , violist Katherine Murdock and oboist Mark Hill, and several members of the musically talented Gekker family:  Suzanne (clarinet), Jason (double bass) and Lianna (piano). 

The works here are wonderfully sonorous, harmonically conservative and will appeal to classical music lovers and also fans of soft lounge jazz.

The album is titled ‘Moon Marked’ and will be released in May 2020 on Métier (MSV 28605).

Moon Marked

Recorded at Dekelboum Concert Hall, University of Maryland on various dates in late 2019 except:

• Variations and Fugue on a theme by Brahms (same venue, recorded 2011)
• Moon Marked, recorded at Spencerville Seventh Day Adventist Church 2019

Works

• … and justice for all?   (Richard Auldon Clark) for trumpet, viola and double bass
• Elegy for a Sultry Summer Afternoon (Lance Hulme) for trumpet and piano
• Moon Marked (Carson Cooman) for trumpet and clarinet
• Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Brahms (Eric Ewazen) for flugelhorn and piano
• Divertimento (Richard Auldon Clark) for trumpet, oboe and viola
• Acquainted with the Night (Alistair Coleman) for trumpet and piano
• Peace on Earth (Franklin Kiermyer) for trumpet, clarinet, double bass and piano

Performers

• Chris Gekker (trumpet and flugelhorn)
• Katherine Murdock (viola)
• Mark Hill (oboe)
• Suzanne Gekker (clarinet)
• Jason Gekker (double bass)
• Lianna Gekker (piano)
• Rita Sloan (piano)

Previously on Divine Art: Ghost Dialogues (MSV 28572)

Chris Gekker is a master of his instrument. His technique is impeccable: The Metier recording is so clear one can hear every detail of attack. In addition, there is a real musical intelligence at work, here coupled with a fervent belief in the music he plays. This is a most varied recital, then, caught in superb sound. The combination of technique, taste, and musicianship is remarkable.”

—Colin Clarke, Fanfare