Renowned trumpeter and composer Stuart Mack is making waves in the jazz world with his debut album, Vibrations. At an age when many are just starting their careers, Mack has already established himself among the top-tier musicians, working with illustrious ensembles and jazz legends such as David Liebman, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Romero Lubambo, the Jihye Lee Orchestra, and the Mike Holober Group. His exceptional talent and dedication have earned him widespread acclaim across the international jazz scene.
Vibrations is the culmination of years of Mack honing his presence and identity as a musician. The album is woven with the artistic thread that showcases a deep longing within the human soul for beauty that only music can satisfy. Far from being an overnight project, Vibrations reflects a decade of Mack forming his musical persona and integrating the brilliance he encountered into his unique style.
From his collegiate experiences with the multi-GRAMMY nominated One O’clock Lab Band at the prestigious University of North Texas to the Disneyland All-American College Band, Mack sampled jazz across the country. His accolades include first place in the International Trumpet Guild competition in 2015, second place in the Jazz Division of the 2014 National Trumpet Competition, recognition as a 2014 Yamaha Young Performing Artist, and finalist placement in the 2013 Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Competition. These experiences, combined with his ongoing rapport with contemporary jazz heroes, have shaped Mack’s distinct color palette of nuanced stylings in both performance and writing.
The album and its title track derive their name from a profound experience Mack had during the global pandemic in 2020. After months without live music, attending a live performance reawakened his soul and underscored the importance of music as a human connector. “The vibration that filled the room made me remember the importance of music as a human connector,” Mack reflects.
Mack's emphasis on the unique presence and personality of each musician on the record is paramount, evident in the vibrant unity the ensemble brings to each tune. “Almost everything you hear off the record is each individual musician’s personal take on my music,” Mack explains. This approach, leaving room for interpretation, pays off and highlights both his trusting vision as a leader and the prowess of the band. The ensemble includes Alejandro Aviles (saxophones, flute), Manuel Valera (piano), Adi Meyerson (bass), and GRAMMY-winner Dan Pugach (drumset).
Vibrations opens with an introductory prelude to the title track, setting the thematic stage for Mack’s concept of music as the human connector. The album features pieces like “Beets,” a buoyant melody inspired by Mack’s first experience with beetroots, and “When Breath Becomes Air,” a poignant composition influenced by Paul Kalanithi’s autobiographical book. The penultimate track, “Different Realities,” exemplifies Mack’s emphasis on ensemble personality, transforming from a hesitant afterthought to one of the most ebullient moments on the record through collective interpretation.
With Vibrations, Mack attests boldly and colorfully that music and beauty are virtues deep within the human heart. By encapsulating each so powerfully, he speaks the language of humanity with such clarity that it resonates and reverberates to the core of each listener.
Vibrations will be available on May 17, 2024.
