Nate Birkey's appearance at the Metropolitan Room celebrated the release of his new CD, Almost Home.  A West-Coaster, he's recently been sharing his talents with more east coast audiences.  Birkey's is a well-knit group that plays with skill, thought and keen sensibility. With Birkey on the trumpet and occasional flugelhorn, Jim Ridl on piano, Tony Marino on Bass, Chris Karlic on tenor sax and drummer Marko Marcinko, it was a grand event. All are experienced performers who made the room swing. The audience, in turn, was attentive and enthusiastic.

Birkey primarily featured his own compositions. They varied from the soft, not to say delicate, “Sing to Me,” to the rousing “Tuesdays at the Ridge.”  As a vocalist, Birkey has a casual instrument, comfortable and easy to listen to.  His trumpet is the same: no straining, just relaxed and mellow. The high point for me was the CD's title song, “Almost Home,” a most beautiful melody . Birkey's trumpet solo was full of punch, with creamy tones that defined jazz.  All the musicians played thoughtfully, integrating their solos with each other's. Birkey’s music has been described as introspective and subtle. It is more than that; it is a manifestation of a remarkable talent.

Seymour Spilka
Cabaret Scenes
July 10, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org