An innovative trombonist, Eric Goletz has brought his creative vision to life on Into the Night. At age six, he started studying classical piano, guitar and music theory. At age 14, he was drawn to the trombone, and he began composing at a young age. Influenced by rock, Latin, funk and other genres, Goletz wanted to incorporate the trombone as the lead instrument in a non-traditional setting. It reminds me of what creative, contemporary progressive trombone players like Roswell Rudd and Craig Harris have done as band leaders and composers. Goletz gives us an exciting set of music as he and his bandmates operate in a stylistic soundscape between jazz, funk, R&B and rock. With improvisatory fervor and intensity, pieces like “Say What?,” “Steppin’ Out,” and “Cat on the Corner” are played vehemently and passionately. Spanning 13 minutes, the title track “Into the Night” has a genesis that ebbs and flows with dynamics, colorings and contrast. Guitar, bass, piano, drums, percussion and horns complement the leader’s trombone and keyboards. If some selections are a bit frenetic, others like “After Hours” and The Rippingtons’ “Lullaby” provide a leisurely approach that allow for smooth, fluid, poignant musical expression from Goletz’s trombone. His arrangement of Cole Porter’s “What is This Thing Called Love?” is quick, harmonically intricate and stretches the parameters of bop and other influences. With his own distinctive flair, Goletz’s arrangement of John Coltrane’s “Mr. PC” is also unique as a statement that’s both funky big band and bluesy bop. During his 30-year career as a New York freelance musician, Goletz has been planning and nurturing his vision for an original, contemporary fusion influenced ensemble featuring trombone as lead instrument. It was a brilliant idea, and Into The Night has been executed with great skill, spirit and panache. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)