Nick Adema
Urban Chaos
ZenneZ Records
Urban Chaos is Nick Adema’s reaction to relocating from his home in Ottawa, Canada, to his new home in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It was a tumultuous period for Nick, as he was dealing with the loss of his mother as well as adjusting to the hectic pace of a new city. Luckily, the chaos of Amsterdam proved to be a great place to catch his thoughts and find his place in Amsterdam’s vibrant jazz scene.
Adema put together a quartet featuring pianist Joy Shechter, bassist Azubike Onwuka, and drummer Chen Har-Even. The core group is supplemented by Noah Preminger on tenor, a string quartet, vocalist Liva Dumpe, guitarist Ante Medic, and alto saxophonist Micheal Murray. Adema’s music reflects the contrasts of a bustling city. “The Fool” finds Nick frenetic, soloing over the lush, languid tones of the string quartet. Nick’s trombone trades solos with Noah Preminger over a funky groove on the propulsive “111.” “The Friendly Ghost” is dedicated to the Danish guitarist Casper Hejlesen and provides a showcase for Ante Medic to shine. “Oak” is a brief vocal interlude before returning to the funky sounds of “The End of a Love Affair.”
Adema stretches the sound of his tenor trombone with liberal use of electronic effects. While he plays with a beautiful tone on most songs, treatments of his trombone on songs like “222” make it sound like something otherworldly.
Nick Adema is a phenomenal talent. He may very well be one of the new generation of jazz players to keep an eye on.
