The upcoming release of the Chad Taylor Quintet‘s new album, “Smoke Shifter,” on November 14, 2025, via Otherly Love Records, is a powerful argument for the vitality and evolving nature of modern jazz. As highlighted in the album notes by Clifford Allen, jazz is not a static form but “a continually developing social reflection on language.” This philosophy is at the core of Taylor’s work, who is quoted in the notes saying, “I just enjoy creating new language… for me, that’s jazz.” This dynamic approach is perfectly embodied by the quintet he has assembled: joining him on drums are Bryan Rogers on tenor saxophone, Jonathan Finlayson on trumpet, Matt Engle on bass, and Victor Vieira-Branco on vibraphone.
This collaboration was a natural fit, as Taylor recounts when they first played together, “it sounded like a band from the first note.” This instant chemistry is further underscored by the fact that they were able to play three shows before the recording, making the final session feel “in the moment,” as Rogers notes.
A key aspect of Smoke Shifter‘s distinct sound is its collaborative spirit, with all members (except Finlayson) contributing compositions—a practice inspired by Taylor’s studies with Joe Chambers. This multi-vocal approach results in a diverse yet cohesive program. The album features Taylor’s two pieces, “Waltz for Meghan” and the title track, alongside Engle’s “Avian Shadow,” Rogers’s “Broken Horse,” and Vieira-Branco’s two-part suite. The album notes describe the music as incredibly “swinging and accessible,” defying easy classification. With its intricate arrangements and defiant spirit, Smoke Shifter is a compelling listen.
Listen to the album’s opening Broken Horse, below, that Allen describes as “a striking introductory cut, an emphatic dance of pulse and motion, burnished trumpet and tenor wheeling and diving, Finlayson an assured foil with nods to Freddie Hubbard and Enrico Rava, while Vieira-Branco’s globular chimes create a web of activity within and across the tune’s center.”
Pre-Order ‘Smoke Shifter’ here: https://chadtaylordrums.bandcamp.com/album/smoke-shifter