Shawn Bell is reviewed in the January issue of Jersey Jazz

Jersey Jazz
Review By: Joseph Lang
January issue

Trombonist SHAWN BELL is based in Rockford, Illinois, about an hour away from Northern Illinois University where he recently completed his graduate studies in jazz. He is currently teaching, freelancing and composing. The fruits of his playing and composing activities are nicely displayed on Things Yet Unknown (Shawn Bell Music – No Catalog Number).

He is joined by Ross Margitza on piano, Nate Brown on bass and Samuel Jewell on drums, with Quentin Coaxum guesting on trumpet for three tunes, and Jonathan McQuade adding his flugelhorn to four of the seven selections. The program includes two standards, “You Stepped Out of a Dream” and “In the Wee Small Hours,” and five Bell originals. Bell is a strong and melodic player, and his fine sense of melody is evident on his compositions. This is Bell’s debut album, and it augers well for a bright future for this talented player and composer. (www.cdbaby.com)