5.0 out of 5 stars
Smoothjazz.com Review, June 15, 2006
This review is from: Dreamin' (Re-Mix) (Audio CD)
Paul Thomas Yoder plays trumpet and flugelhorn with unbridled passion. This So Cal native, who still works as an engineer for JPL, likes to live life on the edge. He says, "I have always been drawn towards trumpet players that had an "edge", either in their aggressiveness or their range or their sound...or even their lifestyle." You can hear that edginess in his debut release, DREAMIN,' an eclectic collection of tunes that range from mellow Smooth Jazz to soft rock to electric rock. For even more variety, he includes three vocals on the disc, from the songbooks of artists like Maynard Ferguson, Mr. Mister, and even rocker Yngwie Malmsteen. To my ear, highlights of DREAMIN' include the very smooth "Black Cat, Black Hat" (which really spotlights Paul's amazingly clear, pure tone), the Paul Yoder original and mega-energetic "Cruisin' 4-A Fusion," the very cool cover of the Stevie Nicks hit "Stand Back," and the intriguing, mystical "Sadness." Here's a guy that started out with a violin at age four, quickly switched to piano, and then realized that the trumpet was to be his instrument. Thanks to inspired mentoring and inspiring idols, Paul Thomas Yoder has amassed numerous performing awards and accolades with his horn... This all leading to this impressive debut CD. Add it to your own collection and remember the first time you heard it, when Paul Thomas Yoder reached the leading edge of musical stardom! ~SCOTT O'BRIEN
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