Trombonist and composer JC Sanford is set to release his eighth album as a leader, DENKI, on October 10, 2025, via Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records (BJUR 081). Performed with his band EQ (Electric Quartet)—featuring Toivo Hannigan (guitar/effects), Erik Fratzke (electric bass), and Satoshi Takeishi (drums)—the album is a vibrant, electrified statement from one of jazz’s most versatile and imaginative voices.
A Tribute to Electricity – and a Mentor
The title DENKI (Japanese for “electricity”) serves a dual purpose. It nods to Sanford’s increasing exploration of effects, pedals, and electronic soundscapes, but it also pays homage to his mentor Bob Brookmeyer, who released an album called Electricity in 1994 with the WDR Big Band.
Sanford’s career defies easy categorization. He is equally at home as a composer, bandleader, sideman, producer, and conductor. He has worked with jazz luminaries including Danilo Pérez, Matt Wilson, John McNeil, George Schuller, and many more, while also serving as a conductor for ensembles like the Grammy-nominated John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble and the Alice Coltrane Orchestra. DENKI represents the culmination of these wide-ranging influences: a sound that channels both jazz tradition and electric experimentation.
Pushing Sound Forward
The seeds of DENKI were planted during the post-pandemic years, when Sanford began experimenting with guitar effects pedals in small Minneapolis gigs. Encouraged by peers and audiences, he dove deeper into the sonic possibilities, discovering new textures that enhanced rather than obscured his trombone voice.
“I’ve always been conscious about the results not being a gimmick, but an enhancement of my language and timbre,” Sanford explains.
The resulting music stretches boundaries—drawing inspiration from Curtis Fuller, Slide Hampton, Stevie Wonder, Black Sabbath, and Brookmeyer himself—yet remains deeply personal.
The Music of DENKI
The album opens with “ausgleicht” (“equalized” in German), a powerful track with roots in German metal that also references the EQ band name. Other highlights include:
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“The Wise Stone” – a dedication to drummer Satoshi Takeishi, celebrating his wisdom and steadfast artistry.
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“Purple Spring” – a pastoral reflection on Sanford’s garden and the beauty of renewal.
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“Futari” – an improvised duet between Sanford and Takeishi, full of spontaneity and connection.
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“Head Rare, Red Hair” – inspired by improvisational word games with Sanford’s daughter, showcasing the quartet’s playful creativity.
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“That 60s Heist Movie” – written by composer Scott Miller, evoking cinematic swagger and mischief.
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A stirring cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Love’s in Need of Love Today”, reimagined for today’s turbulent world, carrying a message of empathy and hope.
A Life in Music
JC Sanford’s career is as rich as his music. Recognized in DownBeat magazine’s Critic’s Poll across trombone, big band, and arranger categories, he is a founding member of the composers’ federation Pulse and an alumnus of the BMI Jazz Composer’s Workshop. His compositions have been performed by the likes of Dave Liebman, Lew Soloff, John Abercrombie, and ensembles worldwide.
Since returning to his native Minnesota in 2016, Sanford has remained an essential figure in the Twin Cities jazz scene, co-founding the Twin Cities Jazz Composers’ Workshop and continuing to write, perform, and teach.
DENKI – Available October 10
With DENKI, Sanford and his EQ band deliver a bold and electrified album that challenges genre boundaries while honoring deep musical traditions. It’s a record that captures an artist unafraid to evolve, explore, and plug directly into the currents of inspiration.
DENKI will be released October 10, 2025, on Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records.
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