Ryan Haines

Ryan Haines Big Band: Emerald and Sapphire

by Jack Bowers
October 4, 2023

The last time Ryan Haines recorded a big-band album he had a day gig with the U.S. Armed Services--more specifically, as lead trombonist and chief arranger for the Air Force Falconaires at the USAF Academy, just north of Colorado Springs, CO. That was in 2007, and the album was People and Places (Sea Breeze Jazz), Haines' third widely applauded--and favorably reviewed--recording as leader of his own band. After leaving the Air Force, Haines returned to his native Arizona to launch ...

Ryan Haines Big Band: People & Places

by Edward Blanco
September 13, 2007

There's nothing more honorable and noble than paying tribute to the people you love and to those who have inspired you as well as recognizing some of the places that have meant something special in one's life. Composer/arranger/trombonist Ryan Haines does just that with his third recording, People & Places. Leading his world-class ensemble, which is made up primarily from the Airman of Note, the U.S. Air Force's premier jazz ensemble, Haines takes a special musical journey thundering through excellent ...

Ryan Haines Big Band: People & Places

by Jack Bowers
July 29, 2007

When one considers the touchstones in his or her life, few are more enduring or important than People & Places. Appreciating this, trombonist Ryan Haines has devoted an entire album to some of the people and places that have meant the most to him and helped shape his identity as a musician and a human being.

Starting with family, Haines pays tribute to his mother's home in San Diego with the Latin-grooved “Tierrasanta, to his wife with the sensuous ballad ...

Ryan Haines Big Band: New Horizons

by Edward Blanco
June 8, 2006

I just can't help but feel that the outlook for big band jazz keeps improving with every new release that hits the shelves these days. This new album by the Ryan Haines Big Band confirms my perception. With nine tasteful charts ranging from contemporary to swing, from blistering to mellow, there's plenty of heart and heat to enjoy on New Horizons. Trombonist Ryan Haines, a former member of the Falconaires, a component of the Air Force Band of the Rockies, ...

Ryan Haines: To the Sky

by Jack Bowers
July 1, 2001

Ryan Haines, who has spent the better part of his musical career playing trombone in a number of U.S. Air Force Jazz ensembles, pilots a well–equipped big band into the stratosphere on To the Sky, his high–flying “civilian” debut on Sea Breeze Records. Haines wrote eight of the ten numbers on the album, which together comprise what was originally created as the “Blue Sky Suite,” a musical portrait of various aspects of military life. The opener and finale, “To the ...

Ryan Haines: To The Sky

by Jim Santella
June 1, 2001

Enlisting the services of fellow Air Force Band of the Rockies members, trombonist Ryan Haines has put together a big band session of note. Originally composed as “The Sky Blue Suite," Haines' program captures various aspects of a serviceman's career. There are dark days, frantic scrambles, lovely ballads, and high-flying horns. While the session connotes high energy and sparkling-clean, dress uniforms – the band still swings with veteran ears. Soloists Haines, Mark Israel, Bill Murray, Ed Hureau, Rich Inouye, Lucas ...