Album Notes

"Live from Austin" is a collaborative effort between trombonist Ron Westray and trumpeter Thomas Heflin. The two met during their time living in the vibrant music community of Austin, TX, know as "The Live Music Capital of the World." The two decided that it would be fitting to record a live jazz album in Austin at the Elephant Room, which was selected as one of the top ten jazz venues in the United States by Wynton Marsalis in USA TODAY. The recording project was conceived as a way to capture the energy of live jazz in Austin and brings together some of the best jazz musicians in Austin such as Peter Stoltzman (www.myspace.com/peterjohnstoltzman) and Elias Haslanger (www.elijazz.com) with two internationally established jazz musicians, Neal Caine and Adonis Rose. Caine(www.nealcaine.com) is the bass player of choice for vocal superstar Harry Connick Jr. Rose (www.myspace.com/adonisrosequintet) is equally renowned in the jazz world and has toured extensively with Nicholas Payton and Betty Carter among others.

Ron Westray (ronwestray.com) is already one of the most highly regarded trombonists of his generation. He is perhaps best known for his work as lead trombonist for the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra conducted by Wynton Marsalis. In addition, he is known for his collaborative effort with Wycliffe Gordon on the Atlantic label entitled “Bone Structure.” In past years, he toured as a member of the Marcus Roberts Quintet and the Mingus Big Band, as well as performed with a roster of jazz notables too long to list.

Trumpeter Thomas Heflin (www.thomasheflin.com) has been making waves on the national jazz scene in recent years. His first CD, "Symmetry" received flattering reviews such as Marco Maimeri's description in a full-page feature in Italy’s “Jazz Magazine.” Maimeri describes the CD as "…the extension of a charismatic leader with an innovative style who has the heritage of Clifford Brown and Lee Morgan, but who does not forget the lessons of Freddie Hubbard…"