For those unaware, pursuing jazz is difficult when you lack an environment to develop in the Bahamas, but since the age of ten, Giveton Gelin has taught himself how to play the trumpet simply by emulating what he would hear on his favorite records.

Despite years of self-tutelage it wasn’t until he saw double bass player Adrian D’Aguilar playing live that Giveton realized there was a place for jazz in the Bahamas!

Through this encounter led to Giveton taking part in music program abroad such as The Manhattan School of Music Summer Camp Jazz Band, Manhattan School of Music Summer Camp Latin Jazz Band and The Spike Wilner Trio. Giveton has won top position at both the YoungArts Foundation and the Betty Carter Jazz ahead program.

Giveton has received mentoring from some of the world’s greatest jazz musicians including Wynton Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Eddie Henderson, Barry Harris, Jason Moran, Ralph Peterson, Roy Hargrove and much more. Giveton continues to excel in his musical growth. He now attends the Oberlin Conservatory Of Music on a full scholarship.

And now Giveton brings forth his moving and majestic new recording, Island Dreamer III of III, an Afro-Diasporic opus that sonically shouts out the syncopated sonorities of the Bahamas and the Caribbean, through the swinging language of jazz.

1. Hurricane Dorian (a moment of silence) [1:39]
2. Blue Hole (III of III Cut) [6:32]
3. When You Cry I Cry (Footprints)/Theme B [3:50]
4. Moun Lakay [5:07]
5. Get Loose (Lucy)/Theme A [3:14]
6. Roy Hargrove – Level II [1:18]
7. I Solemnly Swear to Live [4:06]
8. Dreamland [4:46]
9. We Speak [3:44]
10. Take a Bow [5:04]
11. Wynton Marsalis – Level III [0:27]
12. Eargasm [7:53]
13. Ancestry [7:38]
14. Place of Eternity [1:59]
15. Fighting Spirit Blues [8:12]

On an album that helps to fuel several initiatives that carry the same name as the album - such as the record label and educational initiatives that have helped 12 students already gain access to higher levels of music education in NYC - Giveton opens on the astutely sculpted Hurricane Dorian (a moment of silence), the gloriously smooth Blue Hole (III of III Cut) and the soulful melodies within When You Cry I Cry (Footprints)/Theme B, before we are then gifted the soulful Moun Lakay, the carnival-imbibed melodies Get Loose (Lucy)/Theme A, and both the spoken-word tribute within Roy Hargrove – Level II and the luxuriant balladry of I Solemnly Swear to Live.

Along next is the sumptuously-crafted Dreamland, the affluently engaging We Speak, the luxuriant Take a Bow and the barely thirty-second long, spoken-word tribute to Wynton Marsalis – Level III, and they are then in turn backed by the jubilant Eargasm, and the resplendent Ancestry, the new set rounding out on the gently rambunctious, organic and euphonically masterful Place of Eternity, coming to a close on the finger-snapping, toe-tapping rhythmically catchy Fighting Spirit Blues.

Musicians/Instruments:
Trumpet, Keyboards, Synthesizer - Giveton Gelin Piano - Esteban Castro Drums - Giveton Gelin Saxophone - Cosmo Lieberman Double Bass - Adrian D’Aguilar Percussion - Neil Symonette Background Vocals - Almika Cates, Dorrica Vanessa, Stanesha Deligonee Lead Vocals - Karrington Mckenzie

Official Purchase Link

Giveton Gelin @ Facebook