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Rick Faulkner

Trombonist and composer Rick Faulkner has made a reputation for himself on the New York City jazz and world music scenes for his rich, expansive sound, no holds barred playing style and infectious, soulful compositions.   As a freelancer, he has worked with artists ranging from Max Roach and David Murray to Haitian stars Tabou Combo, and has played everything from salsa and Dixieland to the avant-garde. He was a member of the legendary ska band the Toasters, touring internationally and recording three CDs.  He was co-founder of the critically-acclaimed New York Ska Jazz Ensemble (featured in Down Beat and JAZZIZ magazines) and appeared with them at the Montreal Jazz Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival, among others. In addition to recording with NYSJE and the Toasters, Rick has appeared on the CDs of artists such as Pucho and his Latin Soul Brothers, Joe Gallant and Illuminati, and Haitian band Skah-Shah #1. His arrangements have been played by Michael Brecker and John Scofield, and he has contributed many compositions to CDs by NYSJE, the Toasters, and Los Mas Valientes. His compositions have been featured on the Lifetime television show The Place, and the soundtrack of Ash Baron Cohen's  1997 cult feature film Bang. In the world music realm, Rick has performed with klezmer veterans Eve Sicular and Metropolitan Klezmer, internationally-acclaimed Italian percussionist and folklorist Alessandra Belloni, salsa legends Raulín Rosendo, Ramón Rodríguez, Orlando Marín, Frankie Vasquez, and 1999 Grammy Award nominee Juan Carlos Formell. Every Saturday for more than a decade, radio listeners have heard his trombone and arrangement in the theme music for "Que Viva la Musica" on WFDU.

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" An impressive mainstream debut for former Ska Jazz exponent Rick Faulkner, whose keen edged trombone leads an accomplished septet through half a dozen of his engaging compositions and one standard. Straight ahead jazz of a high order. Faulkner writes with clear cut images in mind. His impulsive horn, reminiscent at times of Curtis Fuller or Bennie Green, punctuates every melody, as do Ehrlich's singing alto and Higgins' gruff baritone. Faulkner is a talented player and writer whose opening skirmish embodies a fascinating glimpse of things to come." — Jazz Now

"Bold and Personal. You can hear how much fun the band is having

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