Nicole Connelly/Zachary Swanson/Kate Gentile

A notable, but somewhat truncated debut disc by Brooklyn-based trombonist Nicole Connelly shows off her skills in a variety of settings, mostly featuring bassist Zachary Swanson and drummer Kate Gentile. Throughout the Connecticut native Connelly, who is joined on several tracks by her twin sister trumpeter Erin Connelly, and on one by baritone saxophonist Andrew Hadro, exhibits her brass control.

Obviously familiar with most registers of her instrument, Connelly jumps among subterranean tuba-pitched burbles, subtle half-valve squeezes, savory mid-range narratives and yelping triplets. Along the way she often harmonizes in chromatic build ups with Erin and even more frequently with the bassist and drummer. Trio tunes like “Bamako” and “Day by Day” show how bass thumps, drum shuffles and portamento brass notes can create lusty swing on the former; and how the trombone’s multiphonic warbles can slide into swing alongside Gentile’s press rolls.

“Sky Piece”,  her only outing with the saxophonist and the disc’s longest track is also the most accomplished. Hadro’s full-bodied smears precede a mid-range a capella interlude by Connelly before both march the slinky melody back to squawking swing.

“Sky Piece” also personifies the session’s literal shortcomings. With the other track mostly in the one to two minute range, Stamp in Time comes across as a calling card rather than a full-fledged statement. It highlights Connelly’s talents. But it also strongly argues that she should develop a disc that would let her stretch out at greater length.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Stamp in Time 2. Bamako 3. Shadow Self* 4. Malaton 5. Brown Recluse* 6. Rising Wide-Eyed 7. Sky Piece# 8. Lullaby of the Doomed 9. Crow Song* 10. Tiff*11. Day by Day 12 And Counting…*

Personnel: Erin Connelly (trumpet)*; Nicole Connelly (trombone); Andrew Hadro (baritone saxophone); Zachary Swanson (bass) and Kate Gentile (drums)