7587 - DOUG WAMBLE - For Anew (2014)

DOUG WAMBLE
''FOR ANEW''
JUNE 17 2014
57:00

1. Walk A While 4:14
2. Remind Me Of You 4:38
3. In A Word 3:48
4. Photograph 3:12
5. Bad Californian 3:32
6. Before I Sleep 3:26
7. The Rest Of Me 4:23
8. Placeholder 4:44
9. A Brave Refrain 4:20
10. If I Saw You 4:20
11. A Squeeze Of The Hand 3:47
12. See The Light Again 4:08
13. Promise Of Angels 5:06
14. Now You Tell Me 4:28
All Guitars & Vocals By Doug Wamble

BIOGRAPHY
by Matt Collar
Guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble is a jazz traditionalist in the best sense of the word. Combining music from his southern roots with jazz, Wamble creates a unique sound that touches upon rural blues, gospel, swing, and post-bop. Although initially inspired to take up jazz after hearing recordings of innovative guitarist Charlie Christian, the Tennessee native actually began his studies at Memphis State University as a record engineering major. It wasn't until attending a Harry Connick Jr. concert and seeing guitarist Russell Malone play that Wamble decided to pursue performing full-time. He eventually transferred to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and later earned his masters at Northwestern in Chicago. Along the way, Wamble added vocalist to his resume, a nice side-effect of learning lyrics to songs while driving to gigs. A move to New York City in 1997 brought Wamble into contact with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Subsequently, Wamble snagged high-profile gigs with vocalists Cassandra Wilson and Madeleine Peyroux, among others. He released his debut album, Country Libations, on saxophonist Branford Marsalis' label Marsalis Music in 2003. Bluestate followed in 2005.

OFFICIAL SITE

7586 - DOUG WAMBLE - RedneckTelectual (2014)

DOUG WAMBLE
''REDNECKTELECTUAL''
FEBRUARY 17 2014
51:35

1 Rednecktelectual 7:27
2 The Better, You Say 7:00
3 Brethren, Repent 4:18
4 Dog Gone, Bill's Paid 4:58
5 Thus Saith Jenkins 5:17
6 The Gospel According to That Guy Over There 4:27
7 Motley Crewcut 2:53
8 Speakeasy, Listenhard 3:46
9 Rockefeller, Rollergal 4:04
10 Broken Hand, Mended Heart 4:25
11 Renecktelectual (Reprise) 3:00

BIOGRAPHY
by Matt Collar
Guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble is a jazz traditionalist in the best sense of the word. Combining music from his southern roots with jazz, Wamble creates a unique sound that touches upon rural blues, gospel, swing, and post-bop. Although initially inspired to take up jazz after hearing recordings of innovative guitarist Charlie Christian, the Tennessee native actually began his studies at Memphis State University as a record engineering major. It wasn't until attending a Harry Connick Jr. concert and seeing guitarist Russell Malone play that Wamble decided to pursue performing full-time. He eventually transferred to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and later earned his masters at Northwestern in Chicago. Along the way, Wamble added vocalist to his resume, a nice side-effect of learning lyrics to songs while driving to gigs. A move to New York City in 1997 brought Wamble into contact with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Subsequently, Wamble snagged high-profile gigs with vocalists Cassandra Wilson and Madeleine Peyroux, among others. He released his debut album, Country Libations, on saxophonist Branford Marsalis' label Marsalis Music in 2003. Bluestate followed in 2005.

OFFICIAL SITE

7585 - DOUG WAMBLE - Fast As Years, Slow As Days (2013)

DOUG WAMBLE
''FAST AS YEARS SLOW AS DAYS''
JANUARY 22 2013
56:52

1 The Heart Collector 4:37
2 My Love 3:54
3 Dying Language 5:38
4 Halcyon 4:10
5 Slow Down 4:41
6 The Ghosts of Lonesome Lovers 4:35
7 Master Plan 4:52
8 Endlessly 6:32
9 Circle 4:44
10 By the Way 9:20

Album Notes
by cdbaby
"a one-man compendium of Avant-Americana..." - The New Yorker
Doug Wamble has been on the NYC music scene for 15 years, playing with everyone from Wynton and Branford Marsalis, to Cassandra Wilson and Norah Jones.
"Fast as Years, Slow as Days" is his first self-produced record, and with the exception of a bit of cello and drums, Doug is playing and singing everything you hear.

BIOGRAPHY
by Matt Collar
Guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble is a jazz traditionalist in the best sense of the word. Combining music from his southern roots with jazz, Wamble creates a unique sound that touches upon rural blues, gospel, swing, and post-bop. Although initially inspired to take up jazz after hearing recordings of innovative guitarist Charlie Christian, the Tennessee native actually began his studies at Memphis State University as a record engineering major. It wasn't until attending a Harry Connick Jr. concert and seeing guitarist Russell Malone play that Wamble decided to pursue performing full-time. He eventually transferred to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and later earned his masters at Northwestern in Chicago. Along the way, Wamble added vocalist to his resume, a nice side-effect of learning lyrics to songs while driving to gigs. A move to New York City in 1997 brought Wamble into contact with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Subsequently, Wamble snagged high-profile gigs with vocalists Cassandra Wilson and Madeleine Peyroux, among others. He released his debut album, Country Libations, on saxophonist Branford Marsalis' label Marsalis Music in 2003. Bluestate followed in 2005.

OFFICIAL SITE

7584 - DOUG WAMBLE (2010)

DOUG WAMBLE
''DOUG WAMBLE''
APRIL 20 2010
52:27

1 Think About It All
Charlie Hunter / Doug Wamble 3:30
2 Freezer Burn 3:35
3 Find Her Way 4:46
4 It May Be a Dream 4:34
5 Sweet Return to Madness 4:39
6 Bitter Angels 4:35
7 At the End of the Day 7:56
8 Oh Heaven 4:26
9 I Needn't Try 4:31
10 Home (There's a Light On) 5:32
11 I Know
Fiona Apple 4:23
Tracks By Wamble, Except As Indicated

Steven Bernstein /Trumpet
Roy Dunlap /Keyboards, Organ, Piano
Chad Eby /Sax (Tenor)
Clark Gayton /Trombone
Jeff Hanley /Bass (Acoustic), Bass (Electric), Percussion
Christian Howes /String Arrangements, Strings
Charlie Hunter /7-String Guitar, Composer
Holly Laessig /Vocals (Background)
Christopher Marion /String Arrangements
Peter Miles /Drums, Percussion
Carrie Rodriguez /String Arrangements, Violin, Vocals
Jonah Smith /Vocal Harmony
Doug Wamble /Arranger, Guitar, Horn Arrangements, Vocals
Jessica Wolfe /Vocals (Background)

REVIEW
by Chris Nickson
For a jazz guitarist, Doug Wamble is one hell of a soul man -- not just his playing, but his writing, and especially his voice, which lies somewhere between Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder. His background is evident in some of the chords he uses, but he hides it well, and the songs come across as lovely soul, as on the delicious "Sweet Return to Madness" and "It May Be a Dream," where the violin and voice of Carrie Rodriguez add some lovely delicacy to the proceedings. Wamble's guitar work takes a back seat for some of the disc, although he takes off on slide on the gospel-flavored "Bitter Angels" and works with Charlie Hunter on the opener, "Think About It All," while the slow build of "Oh Heaven," with its piano backdrop, offers a superb frame for his restrained solo. But this is an album that's about the song, not playing technique, and Wamble shows himself to be a songwriter of true talent. After all that soul, the jazz of "I Needn't Try," although definitely displaying Wamble's roots, stands out like a sore thumb. It all closes with a cover of Fiona Apple's "I Know" that returns Wamble to acoustic guitar, his natural instrument, giving a spare, aching version of the song. It's a soft, ideal closer to a lovingly crafted disc.

BIOGRAPHY
by Matt Collar
Guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble is a jazz traditionalist in the best sense of the word. Combining music from his southern roots with jazz, Wamble creates a unique sound that touches upon rural blues, gospel, swing, and post-bop. Although initially inspired to take up jazz after hearing recordings of innovative guitarist Charlie Christian, the Tennessee native actually began his studies at Memphis State University as a record engineering major. It wasn't until attending a Harry Connick Jr. concert and seeing guitarist Russell Malone play that Wamble decided to pursue performing full-time. He eventually transferred to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and later earned his masters at Northwestern in Chicago. Along the way, Wamble added vocalist to his resume, a nice side-effect of learning lyrics to songs while driving to gigs. A move to New York City in 1997 brought Wamble into contact with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Subsequently, Wamble snagged high-profile gigs with vocalists Cassandra Wilson and Madeleine Peyroux, among others. He released his debut album, Country Libations, on saxophonist Branford Marsalis' label Marsalis Music in 2003. Bluestate followed in 2005.

OFFICIAL SITE

7583 - DOUG WAMBLE - Bluestate (2005)

DOUG WAMBLE
''BLUESTATE''
MAY 10 2005
73:17

01 - If I Live To See The Day 7:57
02 - Washing Of The Water 10:02
03 - The Homewrecker Hump 4:43
04 - Antoine's Pillow Rock 6:39
05 - Rockin' Jerusalem 12:14
06 - One Ninin' 7:09
07 - No More Shrubs In Casablanca 7:43
08 - Have A Talk With God 5:03
09 - Gone Away 7:34
10 - The Bear And The Toad 4:09

Roy Dunlap /Piano
Jeff Hanley /Bass
Branford Marsalis /Guest Artist, Sax (Tenor)
Peter Miles /Drums
Doug Wamble /Arranger, Guitar, Vocals

REVIEW
by Matt Collar
Guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble's second outing for Marsalis Music is a bit of a departure from the country blues-inflected sound of his debut disc, Country Libations. Featuring his longtime working ensemble of pianist Roy Dunlap, bassist Jeff Hanley, and drummer Peter Miles, Bluestate finds Wamble toning down his more old-timey influences in favor of a contemporary post-bop aesthetic. Also, Wamble has magnified the Southern gospel influences evident on Country Libations into a mix of folky gospel and complex harmonic jazz. The combination works particular well as Wamble, having expressed a wide array of influences from Charlie Christian to Pat Metheny, seems ever intent on forging new ground while always retaining certain valuable aspects of the jazz tradition. To these ends, he still performs with his hollow-body guitar amplified by a microphone in the old-school technique. The result is a robust, natural, almost horn-like sound that allows him an array of dynamic choices and tonal colors. Vocally, Wamble also displays growth, as on the opening track, the melancholy "If I Live to See the Day," which finds him lamenting the current paucity of peace and truth in the world. The track has a compelling Wayne Shorter-esque harmonic conception, and Wamble's burnished and supple vocals recall Kurt Elling. Similarly, Wamble digs into the traditional gospel hymn "Rockin' Jerusalem," showcasing his deft E-Bow skills on the bluesy and infectious track, which also features label owner Branford Marsalis on a burning tenor sax solo.

BIOGRAPHY
by Matt Collar
Guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble is a jazz traditionalist in the best sense of the word. Combining music from his southern roots with jazz, Wamble creates a unique sound that touches upon rural blues, gospel, swing, and post-bop. Although initially inspired to take up jazz after hearing recordings of innovative guitarist Charlie Christian, the Tennessee native actually began his studies at Memphis State University as a record engineering major. It wasn't until attending a Harry Connick Jr. concert and seeing guitarist Russell Malone play that Wamble decided to pursue performing full-time. He eventually transferred to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and later earned his masters at Northwestern in Chicago. Along the way, Wamble added vocalist to his resume, a nice side-effect of learning lyrics to songs while driving to gigs. A move to New York City in 1997 brought Wamble into contact with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Subsequently, Wamble snagged high-profile gigs with vocalists Cassandra Wilson and Madeleine Peyroux, among others. He released his debut album, Country Libations, on saxophonist Branford Marsalis' label Marsalis Music in 2003. Bluestate followed in 2005.

OFFICIAL SITE

7582 - DOUG WAMBLE - Country Libations (2003) (REPOST)

DOUG WAMBLE
''COUNTRY LIBATIONS''
JUNE 17 2003
69:03

1. Libation #1 - Back Of The Hymnal/3:18
2. Libation #2 - Trouble, Lord/6:06
3. Baby, If You're Lyin'/5:35
4. Libation #4 - Ain't Quite Four This Morning/8:43
5. Libation #5 - Ranura Del Campo/9:05
6. Dim Tangy Tennessee Twang/6:15
7. Libation #7 - Along The Way/3:43
8. The Sweet Magnolia Tree/8:24
9. Walking On The Moon/5:20
10. If I Fall/5:25
11. Back To The River/7:09

Charlie Burnham /Violin
Jeff Hanley /Bass
Branford Marsalis /Guest Artist, Producer, Sax (Soprano), Tambourine
Peter Miles /Drums, Percussion
Doug Wamble /Arranger, Guitar, Vocals

REVIEW
by Alex Henderson
When one sees the name Marsalis Music, the question that comes to mind is "Which Marsalis?" Ellis? Wynton? Branford? Delfeayo? Jason? The answer is Branford; saxophonist Branford Marsalis is the founder/owner of Marsalis Music, a Rounder-distributed label that was launched in 2003. Since the '80s, it has been obvious that Branford and Wynton have very different tastes -- Wynton is known for being a jazz snob, whereas Branford is more eclectic and has done his share of guest spots on rock and R&B projects. So it isn't surprising that Marsalis Music is a jazz-friendly label but not a jazz-only label. Country Libations, which Branford produced for his company, isn't the sort of album that a jazz snob would release -- jazz, blues, and gospel are equally important parts of what acoustic guitarist/singer Doug Wamble does on this promising debut album. Wamble certainly isn't an easy artist to categorize or pigeonhole. He's a jazz instrumentalist, but he's also a blues singer -- he's a jazz vocalist, but he also sings African-American gospel. As far as his taste in jazz goes, Wamble doesn't limit himself to one particular era. Parts of Country Libations are mindful of the swing and classic jazz of the '30s, but other parts show an awareness of the modal post-bop that John Coltrane and his colleagues provided in the '60s. Wamble even dabbles in the mildly avant-garde; the instrumental "Dim Tangy Tennessee Twang" hints at Ornette Coleman. Of course, someone this far-reaching and difficult to categorize would terrify a lot of marketing people, so Branford deserves applause for having the guts to sign Wamble. And much to his credit, the expressive Wamble is able to take this CD in different directions without sounding confused or erratic -- he makes everything fit together on this unpredictable yet focused debut.

BIOGRAPHY
by Matt Collar
Guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble is a jazz traditionalist in the best sense of the word. Combining music from his southern roots with jazz, Wamble creates a unique sound that touches upon rural blues, gospel, swing, and post-bop. Although initially inspired to take up jazz after hearing recordings of innovative guitarist Charlie Christian, the Tennessee native actually began his studies at Memphis State University as a record engineering major. It wasn't until attending a Harry Connick Jr. concert and seeing guitarist Russell Malone play that Wamble decided to pursue performing full-time. He eventually transferred to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and later earned his masters at Northwestern in Chicago. Along the way, Wamble added vocalist to his resume, a nice side-effect of learning lyrics to songs while driving to gigs. A move to New York City in 1997 brought Wamble into contact with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Subsequently, Wamble snagged high-profile gigs with vocalists Cassandra Wilson and Madeleine Peyroux, among others. He released his debut album, Country Libations, on saxophonist Branford Marsalis' label Marsalis Music in 2003. Bluestate followed in 2005.

3190 - DOUG WAMBLE (2010)

DOUG WAMBLE
''DOUG WAMBLE''
APRIL 20 2010
52:27

1. Think About It All/Charlie Hunter, Doug Wamlbe/3:30
2. Freezer Burn/3:35
3. Find Her Way/4:46
4. It May Be A Dream/4:34
5. Sweet Return To Madness/4:39
6. Bitter Angels/4:35
7. At The End Of The Day/7:56
8. Oh Heaven/4:26
9. I Needn't Try/4:31
10. Home/5:32
11. I Know (bonus Track)/Fiona Apple/4:23
Tracks By Wamble, Except As Indicated

Steven Bernstein /Trumpet
Roy Dunlap /Keyboards, Organ, Piano
Chad Eby /Sax (Tenor)
Clark Gayton /Trombone
Jeff Hanley /Bass (Acoustic), Bass (Electric), Percussion
Christian Howes /String Arrangements, Strings
Charlie Hunter /7-String Guitar
Holly Laessig /Vocals (Background)
Christopher Marion /String Arrangements
Peter Miles /Drums, Percussion
Carrie Rodriguez /String Arrangements, Violin, Vocals
Jonah Smith /Vocal Harmony
Lee Townsend /Producer
Doug Wamble /Arranger, Guitar, Horn Arrangements, Vocals
Jessica Wolfe /Vocals (Background)

REVIEW
by Matt Collar
by Chris Nickson For a jazz guitarist, Doug Wamble is one hell of a soul man -- not just his playing, but his writing, and especially his voice, which lies somewhere between Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder. His background is evident in some of the chords he uses, but he hides it well, and the songs come across as lovely soul, as on the delicious "Sweet Return to Madness" and "It May Be a Dream," where the violin and voice of Carrie Rodriguez add some lovely delicacy to the proceedings. Wamble's guitar work takes a back seat for some of the disc, although he takes off on slide on the gospel-flavored "Bitter Angels" and works with Charlie Hunter on the opener, "Think About It All," while the slow build of "Oh Heaven," with its piano backdrop, offers a superb frame for his restrained solo. But this is an album that's about the song, not playing technique, and Wamble shows himself to be a songwriter of true talent. After all that soul, the jazz of "I Needn't Try," although definitely displaying Wamble's roots, stands out like a sore thumb. It all closes with a cover of Fiona Apple's "I Know" that returns Wamble to acoustic guitar, his natural instrument, giving a spare, aching version of the song. It's a soft, ideal closer to a lovingly crafted disc.

BIOGRAPHY
by Matt Collar
Guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble is a jazz traditionalist in the best sense of the word. Combining music from his southern roots with jazz, Wamble creates a unique sound that touches upon rural blues, gospel, swing, and post-bop. Although initially inspired to take up jazz after hearing recordings of innovative guitarist Charlie Christian, the Tennessee native actually began his studies at Memphis State University as a record engineering major. It wasn't until attending a Harry Connick Jr. concert and seeing guitarist Russell Malone play that Wamble decided to pursue performing full-time. He eventually transferred to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and later earned his masters at Northwestern in Chicago. Along the way, Wamble added vocalist to his resume, a nice side-effect of learning lyrics to songs while driving to gigs. A move to New York City in 1997 brought Wamble into contact with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Subsequently, Wamble snagged high-profile gigs with vocalists Cassandra Wilson and Madeleine Peyroux, among others. He released his debut album, Country Libations, on saxophonist Branford Marsalis' label Marsalis Music in 2003. Bluestate followed in 2005.

DOWNLOAD

3189 - DOUG WAMBLE - Bluestate (2005)

DOUG WAMBLE
''BLUESTATE''
MAY 10 2005
73:42

1. If I Live To See The Day/8:01
2. Washing Of The Water/10:03
3. The Homewrecker Hump/4:43
4. Antoine's Pillow Rock/6:40
5. Rockin' Jerusalem/12:18
6. One Ninin'/7:12
7. No More Shrubs In Casablanca/7:46
8. Have A Talk With God/5:06
9. Gone Away/7:38
10. The Bear And The Toad/4:15

Roy Dunlap /Piano
Jeff Hanley /Bass
Branford Marsalis /Guest Artist, Producer, Sax (Tenor)
Peter Miles /Drums
Doug Wamble /Arranger, Guitar, Vocals

REVIEW
by Matt Collar
Guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble's second outing for Marsalis Music is a bit of a departure from the country blues-inflected sound of his debut disc, Country Libations. Featuring his longtime working ensemble of pianist Roy Dunlap, bassist Jeff Hanley, and drummer Peter Miles, Bluestate finds Wamble toning down his more old-timey influences in favor of a contemporary post-bop aesthetic. Also, Wamble has magnified the Southern gospel influences evident on Country Libations into a mix of folky gospel and complex harmonic jazz. The combination works particular well as Wamble, having expressed a wide array of influences from Charlie Christian to Pat Metheny, seems ever intent on forging new ground while always retaining certain valuable aspects of the jazz tradition. To these ends, he still performs with his hollow-body guitar amplified by a microphone in the old-school technique. The result is a robust, natural, almost horn-like sound that allows him an array of dynamic choices and tonal colors. Vocally, Wamble also displays growth, as on the opening track, the melancholy "If I Live to See the Day," which finds him lamenting the current paucity of peace and truth in the world. The track has a compelling Wayne Shorter-esque harmonic conception, and Wamble's burnished and supple vocals recall Kurt Elling. Similarly, Wamble digs into the traditional gospel hymn "Rockin' Jerusalem," showcasing his deft E-Bow skills on the bluesy and infectious track, which also features label owner Branford Marsalis on a burning tenor sax solo.

BIOGRAPHY
by Matt Collar
Guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble is a jazz traditionalist in the best sense of the word. Combining music from his southern roots with jazz, Wamble creates a unique sound that touches upon rural blues, gospel, swing, and post-bop. Although initially inspired to take up jazz after hearing recordings of innovative guitarist Charlie Christian, the Tennessee native actually began his studies at Memphis State University as a record engineering major. It wasn't until attending a Harry Connick Jr. concert and seeing guitarist Russell Malone play that Wamble decided to pursue performing full-time. He eventually transferred to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and later earned his masters at Northwestern in Chicago. Along the way, Wamble added vocalist to his resume, a nice side-effect of learning lyrics to songs while driving to gigs. A move to New York City in 1997 brought Wamble into contact with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Subsequently, Wamble snagged high-profile gigs with vocalists Cassandra Wilson and Madeleine Peyroux, among others. He released his debut album, Country Libations, on saxophonist Branford Marsalis' label Marsalis Music in 2003. Bluestate followed in 2005.

DOWNLOAD

3188 - DOUG WAMBLE - Country Libations (2003)

DOUG WAMBLE
''COUNTRY LIBATIONS''
JUNE 17 2003
69:03

1. Libation #1 - Back Of The Hymnal/3:18
2. Libation #2 - Trouble, Lord/6:06
3. Baby, If You're Lyin'/5:35
4. Libation #4 - Ain't Quite Four This Morning/8:43
5. Libation #5 - Ranura Del Campo/9:05
6. Dim Tangy Tennessee Twang/6:15
7. Libation #7 - Along The Way/3:43
8. The Sweet Magnolia Tree/8:24
9. Walking On The Moon/5:20
10. If I Fall/5:25
11. Back To The River/7:09

Charlie Burnham /Violin
Jeff Hanley /Bass
Branford Marsalis /Guest Artist, Producer, Sax (Soprano), Tambourine
Peter Miles /Drums, Percussion
Doug Wamble /Arranger, Guitar, Vocals

REVIEW
by Alex Henderson
When one sees the name Marsalis Music, the question that comes to mind is "Which Marsalis?" Ellis? Wynton? Branford? Delfeayo? Jason? The answer is Branford; saxophonist Branford Marsalis is the founder/owner of Marsalis Music, a Rounder-distributed label that was launched in 2003. Since the '80s, it has been obvious that Branford and Wynton have very different tastes -- Wynton is known for being a jazz snob, whereas Branford is more eclectic and has done his share of guest spots on rock and R&B projects. So it isn't surprising that Marsalis Music is a jazz-friendly label but not a jazz-only label. Country Libations, which Branford produced for his company, isn't the sort of album that a jazz snob would release -- jazz, blues, and gospel are equally important parts of what acoustic guitarist/singer Doug Wamble does on this promising debut album. Wamble certainly isn't an easy artist to categorize or pigeonhole. He's a jazz instrumentalist, but he's also a blues singer -- he's a jazz vocalist, but he also sings African-American gospel. As far as his taste in jazz goes, Wamble doesn't limit himself to one particular era. Parts of Country Libations are mindful of the swing and classic jazz of the '30s, but other parts show an awareness of the modal post-bop that John Coltrane and his colleagues provided in the '60s. Wamble even dabbles in the mildly avant-garde; the instrumental "Dim Tangy Tennessee Twang" hints at Ornette Coleman. Of course, someone this far-reaching and difficult to categorize would terrify a lot of marketing people, so Branford deserves applause for having the guts to sign Wamble. And much to his credit, the expressive Wamble is able to take this CD in different directions without sounding confused or erratic -- he makes everything fit together on this unpredictable yet focused debut.

BIOGRAPHY
by Matt Collar
Guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble is a jazz traditionalist in the best sense of the word. Combining music from his southern roots with jazz, Wamble creates a unique sound that touches upon rural blues, gospel, swing, and post-bop. Although initially inspired to take up jazz after hearing recordings of innovative guitarist Charlie Christian, the Tennessee native actually began his studies at Memphis State University as a record engineering major. It wasn't until attending a Harry Connick Jr. concert and seeing guitarist Russell Malone play that Wamble decided to pursue performing full-time. He eventually transferred to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and later earned his masters at Northwestern in Chicago. Along the way, Wamble added vocalist to his resume, a nice side-effect of learning lyrics to songs while driving to gigs. A move to New York City in 1997 brought Wamble into contact with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Subsequently, Wamble snagged high-profile gigs with vocalists Cassandra Wilson and Madeleine Peyroux, among others. He released his debut album, Country Libations, on saxophonist Branford Marsalis' label Marsalis Music in 2003. Bluestate followed in 2005.

DOWNLOAD