Album Notes

In “Unsung Heroes” Grammy Award winning trumpeter Brian Lynch pays tribute to a diverse group of jazz trumpet masters that have produced amazing music as players and composers despite flying below the radar of the general jazz public through their compositions (in some cases in their debut recordings) and original works in honor of these greats. The trumpeters paid homage to range from masters no longer with us (Tommy Turrentine, Joe Gordon, Idrees Sulieman) to those very much alive, well, and swinging (Charles Tolliver, Claudio Roditi). Other trumpet masters represented in this project include Louis Smith and an early influence on Lynch’s own work, Kamau Adilifu (Charles Sullivan).

The Band


Brian Lynch (trumpet, leader, compositions and arrangements)
A Grammy Award winner for his self produced CD “Simpático” (with the collaboration of Eddie Palmieri), Brian Lynch’s multi talents as composer, arranger, producer, and bandleader as well as being one of the pre-eminent jazz trumpeters of today make him stand alone. Brian has made 18 CDs as a leader, more than 200 recordings as a sideman, and has enjoyed long term musical tenures with the likes of Eddie Palmieri, Phil Woods, Art Blakey, and Horace Silver.

featured guest Vincent Herring (alto sax)

One of today’s most pre-eminent jazz alto saxophonists, Vincent Herring is an integral part of the groups of Cedar Walton, Nat Adderley, and Louis Hayes as well as being a renowned bandleader and recording artist in his own right.

Alex Hoffman (tenor sax)

A genuine new star on the modern jazz horizon, 22 year old Alex Hoffman has already made a name for himself on the NY jazz scene. He has played with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, led his own groups at Smalls Jazz Club, and recorded with the Brian Lynch Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra (Bolero Nights for Venus Records)

Rob Schneiderman (piano)

A close colleague and friend of Brian for almost 30 years, Rob Schneiderman is not only a world class jazz pianist but also a world class mathematician and professor of mathematics at Lehman College in New York City. His performing and recording credits include Eddie Harris, Charles McPherson, J.J. Johnson and a 20+ year series of acclaimed recordings as a leader for Reservoir Records.

David Wong (bass)

The new first call bassist on the NY scene, David Wong is currently the bassist of choice for the bands of Roy Haynes and Jimmy Heath.

Pete Van Nostrand (drums)

A past member of the prestigious Julliard Jazz Ensemble, Pete Van Nostrand is an in demand drummer on the NY jazz scene, playing and recording with various artists including Kenny Barron, Jeremy Pelt, and Steve Davis.