Podcast 770: A Conversation with Matt Haviland

New-York based jazz trombonist Matt Haviland has been in demand as a performer and featured soloist with some of the top names in jazz since the early 1980s.  His horn has been an important part of large groups like those led by Maria Schneider and Steven Bernstein, as well as the Mingus Big Band. He is a regular member of the Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra, Scott Reeves Jazz Orchestra, Peter Leitch's New Life Orchestra, and Diane Moser's Composer's Big Band. But Podcast 770 lets us talk to Matt about his latest solo release, Something to Say, where he steps out to front a top notch band. Old friends like David Kikoski (piano), Vincent Herring (sax) and Ugonna Okegwo (bass) are joined by new collaborator Johnathan Blake (drums) to present a crackling mix of Haviland originals and carefully curated covers from Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock and Joe Henderson. To that core he adds Mark Gross (alto sax) and Bill Mobley (trumpet) for a few tunes to create a mighty frontline that can rival any band.  Podcast 770 features insight into the tunes on  Something to Say.  Musical selections include Haviland tunes "Graham Benjamin" (for his son) and "Fillet of Soul."