Check out Mike's interview with
Julie Gendrich at the 2002 IAJE -
The International Association of Jazz Educators

Close Your Eyes...And Listen
Press Release

The legendary jazz journalist Leonard Feather once wrote that Mike Fahn "is without question one of the few contemporary masters of the valve trombone." He further praised Mike for his "bronzed, burnished sound, technique and ideas to spare, with each note in the right place at the right instant."

And indeed, heavyweights like Shorty Rogers, Maynard Ferguson and Andrew Hill have all called upon his prodigious talents. But virtuosity aside, Fahn's new CD, Close Your Eyes...and Listen for Sparky1 Productions powerfully indicates that Mike's extraordinary talents extend well beyond his instrumental skills.

Mostly featuring a quintet, anchored by a dynamic rhythm section of Charles Blenzig on piano and synthesizers, Tim Horner on drums, and longtime associate, Jay Anderson (who also produced the album) on bass; Mike shares the front line with either guitarist Steve Cardenas or tenorman Rick
Margitza. The music covers a broad spectrum of styles without ever losing its continuity or central thematic unity.

Mike contributes two compositions co-written with his wife Mary Ann McSweeney, an excellent composer/bassist/leader in her own right. The Burren was inspired by the beautiful cliffs they discovered while traveling together through Ireland. It features a lush and vibrant trombone choir, achieved
through overdubbing of slide trombones, and calls to mind some of the delightful recordings by J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding; and Get Sparky, an electric Miles-ish romper that features all six musicians, is highlighted by a sparkling duet between Fahn and Margitza. McSweeney also composed the
opening piece, Without Changes, a deeply hued bossa nova that perfectly sets the tone for this highly evocative album.

Anderson augments his excellent bass work and productions skills with two compositions as well. Will Call, a boppish up-tempo scorcher peppers fiery solos by Fahn and Margitza with collective improvisations by both hornmen; and On Time, an easy swinger with a very pretty melody features a gently
lyrical excursion by Cardenas, who also lays a subtle, but rhythmically insistent bed for Fahn's crisp, articulate trombone.

Margitza's Heart Forest, a slowly unfolding, fragmented-reggae bit of funksmanship displays Blenzig's blues-tinged and rousing acoustic piano stylings. He also plays piano on the album closer, the classic Close Your Eyes, which blends a beautiful rendering of the melody with blistering solo work by Fahn, Margitza and Blenzig.

Keith Jarrett's moody and challenging Survivor's Suite rounds out the album.

The rapport, sensitivity and dynamic intensity that are so evident throughout the CD can only come from the mutual commitment of musicians who enjoy playing together. Under Mike's clearly focused leadership everyone involved brought their full powers to this endeavor.

Mike Fahn was born in Queens, New York in 1960 and grew up in Huntington, Long Island. His father, a jazz drummer and a big fan of valve trombone giant Bob Brookmeyer gave Mike a valve trombone at 11, after the young man had spent four years on trumpet and then baritone horn.

Influenced more by trumpeters Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, and especially Tom Harrell, Mike began to take inspiration from great trombonists like J.J. Johnson, Frank Rosalino, Brookmeyer, Bill Watrous and others after taking up
the slide trombone a little later on.

Primarily a self-taught player, his family's move to Los Angeles in 1977 had a great effect on Mike's musical development. He credits West Coast icons like Don Menza, Dick Berk and Ferguson as some of his most influential
mentors. Playing regularly on the West Coast scene he also worked with top names like Bob Cooper, Jack Sheldon, Bill Perkins, Terry Gibbs and many more. In 1987, he won the Shelley Manne New Talent Award.

Fahn moved back to New York in 1993 with Mary Ann, whom he had met a year earlier. Over the years he's played with a virtual who's who of modern jazz, including Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Ira Sullivan, Chet Baker, Louis Bellson, Donald Brown, Diana Krall, Eddie Daniels, Bill Pierce, John
Patitucci and many more.

A regular on the New York scene, he's toured nationally and internationally with trumpeters Tom Harrell and Bill Mobley and with his own groups. Mike also teaches in the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's Jazz for Teens program.

Leonard Feather, Ira Gitler
The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz,
publisher Oxford 1999

Fahn, Mike, Michael Jeff, valve trombone, trombone, drums, baritone horn, scat vocals. Born Queens, NY 12/16/60. Father was jazz drummer in 1950s and '60s. Played with Billy May, Tex Beneke, Lionel Hampton. Began on drums, then trumpet, baritone horn, trombone. Moved with parents to L.A. 1977.

Played with Frank Strazzeri, Don Menza '78-'82, Dick Berk '84. Own groups with Bob Sheppard, Tad Weed, John Patitucci, Peter Donald '85-'88. Also worked in '80s with Bob Cooper, Conte Candoli, Pete Chrislieb, Shorty Rogers. Played with Maynard Ferguson '89-'91, Terry Gibbs, Woody Herman Orchestra, Bill Holman Big Band, Kim Richmond, Andy Simpkins, Dick Berk '90, Jack Sheldon, Louis Bellson '92. Moved back to NYC '93.

Played with Toshiko Akiyoshi Big Band, Loren Schoenberg Big Band, Roland Vasquez '94, then freelanced. [Andrew Hill, Bill Mobley, Tom Harrell Big Bands, Don Braden, Randy Brecker ]'95-present] Leonard Feather called him "one of the few genuine virtuoso performers on the valve trombone".

Favorites Bob Brookmeyer, J.J. Johnson. Polls: New Talent Award, L.A. Jazz Society 1987. CDs: [Own solo recording on] Cexton with Dick Berk on Reservoir, Nine Winds, Cattingub, Bob Cooper on Discovery, [Jack Sheldon Sings on Butterfly], Andy Simpkins (Mama), [Tom Harrell on BMG Verve and Bill Mobley on SpaceTime Records, Andrew Hill on Palmetto (to be released)].