JAZZ REVIEW: Sam Robinson "Chasin’ the Dream" by Jeff Cebulski

Sam Robinson

Chasin’ the Dream

Miles High Records, 2026.

By Jeff Cebulski ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Sam Robinson, trumpet

Scott Angst, tenor sax

Jack Macklin, guitar

Aaron Krings, bass

Chase Wilkins, drums

With each new release as a leader, the Chicago trumpeter Sam Robinson takes a step up in his career. After concentrating on establishing his modern jazz identity through covers, his fourth album, Chasin’ the Dream, finds Robinson at a breakthrough moment, playing all originals with fresh yet obviously comfortable accompaniment from a piano-less quartet consisting of longtime musical partner Scott Angst on tenor sax, Aaron Krings on bass, the rising Jack Macklin on guitar, and Chase Wilkins on drums. The energy this ensemble exudes centers on the synergy of the two horns, while Macklin’s guitar provides a surefire harmonic layer throughout. Meanwhile, the improved production values give Krings and Wilkins some sheen within the mix, providing evidence that this group is quite tight.

The largely modern bop selections find Robinson in his zone, featuring perhaps his best recorded performances thus far. The openers “The Gatekeeper” and “Big C’s Chart” swing significantly, with the leader and Angst trading licks while Krings leads with sturdy bass pronouncements. Robinson’s Freddie Hubbard-like attack energizes the funky, daughter-dedicated “Leia,” with a fine solo from Macklin before Angst adds a soulful contribution. “Sam’s Dig” is a hard-bop statement that features another spirited bass solo. “Brian’s Tune” is the breather here, but not too sedated, with a horn tandem melody commented on by a tasty Macklin. The finale, “Bienvenue,” has a Wilkins-led Latin rhythm that Angst deftly rides before Robinson matches him in response.

The advancement of Sam Robinson as a player and leader should not go unnoticed; if one were to compare his first recording to Chasin’ the Dream, one could not arrive at any other conclusion than that of recognizing the growth and maturity of a rising performer. Even as conventional as his jazz is, this crackling collection—and the band that plays it—deserves some serious attention.

For more info, go to samrobinson2.bandcamp.com.

About Jeff Cebulski

Jeff Cebulski, who lives in Chicago, is a retired English educator (both secondary and collegiate) and longtime jazz aficionado. His career in jazz includes radio programs at two stations in southeast Wisconsin, an online show on Kennesaw State’s (GA) Owl Radio from 2007 until 2015, and review/feature writing for Chicago Jazz Magazine since 2016, including his column "Jazz With Mr. C". He has interviewed many jazz artists, including Joshua Redman, Charles Lloyd, Dave Holland, John Beasley, and Chris Brubeck, as well as several Chicago-based players. Jeff is a member of the Jazz Journalists Association. Contact Jeff at jeff@chicagojazz.com