PRE-ORDER: Dj Rice - Odd Man Out [CD], Dj Rice, CD

Odd Man Out is the debut big band album from trombonist and composer DJ Rice. Featuring guest appearances from trombonists Michael Dease and Ben Patterson and vocalist Rosana Eckert, the record documents a band built from more than a decade of relationships across the Dallas-Fort Worth jazz scene. The album grew out of the band's 2025 invitation to perform at the Jazz Education Network Conference. Rice assembled the group from longtime section mates and mentors, including trombonist Tony Baker, lead trumpeter Rob Parton, and saxophonist Brian Stark, and arranged and composed for the full ensemble. The music draws on the big band tradition of Count Basie, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, and Bob Brookmeyer while pushing into more ambitious territory. Nine tracks include original compositions such as "Chloe's Blues," "Periphery," and the title track, alongside Rice's arrangements of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," "My Shining Hour," and "Lies of Handsome Men." The record closes with "Slide's Ride," a showcase for a stacked five-trombone section.