Nate Birkey's quiet but intense demeanor typifies an artist restlessly pursuing the evolution of his own musical personality. As composer, trumpeter and vocalist, he imbues warmth and broiling energy into his music, as heard in his most recent CD release, Shortest Day on Household Ink Records.
Birkey's subtle vocal and trumpet approach has often been compared to that of Chet Baker and Miles Davis respectively. A sound poised and assured, powerfully stark and spare, it creates an atmosphere at once solitary and electric.
The success of 1998's Indelibly You pushed Birkey and his quintet to the forefront of the West Coast Jazz scene, performing at clubs and festivals throughout the region. They returned to the studio in 2001 to record The Mennonite; an album of predominantly original material - but also emerged from the sessions with a collection of some of Birkey's favorite standards, titled simply Ballads.
With tenor saxophonist Justin Claveria and pianist Jamieson Trotter, son of extraordinary pianist, Terry Trotter, and the rhythmic support of current Los Lobos drummer Cougar Estrada and bassist Jim Connolly, they create a cohesive sound capable of exceptional energy and drive.
In December of 2004 the quintet released it's first live recording from a performance at Soho Music Club in Santa Barbara, CA.. Shortest Day includes forays into Americana, Gospel, Bossa Nova, and straight-ahead jazz.
Birkey, aside from playing trumpet and singing, composes a majority of the music for the group. Early mornings and later nights typify the Birkey songwriting ethic, a dedication that has grown since his years as a composition major at U.C. Santa Barbara. Whether performing his own music or jazz classics, Birkey steadfastly holds the quintet together with thoughtful arrangements that instill a sense of wonder as to what's coming next. On Ballads and Shortest Day, Birkey shines as the crooner royale, laying down deep vocal tracks for lovers of slow tunes. His voice haunts the albums like his own piercing eyes, a strong reminder of the intensity he brings with him whenever he performs. Birkey's singing is an integral part of the quintet's sound, and like that of Chet Baker, his vocal delivery has become eerily similar to the plaintive lyricism of his trumpet.
And trumpet-playing is what The Mennonite is all about. From the pining of "Before She Goes Away" to the supercool, hard-driving "Mennonite"--a song reminiscent of Birkey's Midwestern upbringing and reflective of the Mennonite people's devout practices--the album explores many moods and grooves. Birkey composes with his fellow band members in mind, knowing intimately their strengths and preferences. Coming from varied backgrounds each individual member brings something unique to this diverse collection of songs..
Though a California resident from 1985 to 2004, Nate currently resides in New York City
NATE BIRKEY QUINTET - SHORTEST DAY (2004)
His subtle vocal and trumpet approach has often been compared to that of Chet Baker and Miles Davis respectively; a sound poised and assured, powerfully stark and spare, it creates an atmosphere at once solitary and electric
Nate Birkey, trumpet and vocals
Jim Connolly, bass
Jamieson Trotter, piano
Justin Claveria, tenor sax
1 Autumn Leaves 2 Tennessee Waltz 3 Indelibly You 4 Shortest Day 5 Always On My Mind 6 Abide With Me 7 Recado Bossa Nova 8 Nostalgia In Times Square
more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
The timbre of his disarmingly soft voice is itself closely akin to the sound he gets out of his trumpet, and it is precisely these melancholy vocals that - combined with his effortless skill on the horn - have critics comparing him to Chet Baker
Nate Birkey, trumpet vocals and percussion
Ruben Estrada, vibraphone, piano
Daniel Zimmerman, electric guitar
Matt Wrobel, acoustic guitar
Jim Connolly, bass
Jamieson Trotter, piano
Justin Claveria, tenor sax
Joe Woodard, Eletric Guitar
1 I'll Be Seeing You 2 Nature Boy 3 For All We Know 4 Dreaming Of Memphis 5 Hi Lili, Hi Lo 6 But Not For Me 7 I'll Be Around 8 My Ship 9 I Will Wait For You 10 You Don't Know What Love Is
more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
NATE BIRKEY QUINTET - THE MENNONITE (2001)
Nate Birkey's sense of the modern mainstream includes original compositions derived from straight-ahead jazz, Latin, and blues traditions, highlighted by moody trumpet daydreams and cohesive ensemble play
Nate Birkey, trumpet and vocals
Jim Connolly, bass
Jamieson Trotter, piano
Justin Claveria, sax
1. The Fool In The Tree
2.
Delirio
3.
Penelope
4. Before She Goes Away
5. Northern Lights
6. Hollow
7.
Song Without Words
8. Prohibitation
9. The Mennonite
10. What'll I Do
more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
