Dave Chisholm's INSTRUMENTAL
Graphic Novel + Soundtrack
"Chisholm's Instrumental proves that, even in the world of jazz, there's new ground to be broken. A comic book based around a jazz trumpeter may seem far-fetched, but it's a thoroughly enjoyable read that is only heightened by its exclusive soundtrack."
-Chris Tart, Downbeat Magazine, September 2017
"Dave Chisholm spent years putting this book together, and likely spent about as much time on the accompanying music. It is the culmination, for both these important forms of expression, of the labor of a man who has so much to say and so many means of saying it, and in these various means, he manages to say it all particularly well. To say a musician has range implies an ability to play the quiet and loud, the big and small, the fast and slow, the multitude of genres and tones, perhaps with adaptability with various players. To say a visual artist has range notes fluency in assorted media, an understanding of history while making insightful statements about the present and the future, and perhaps the ability to hold to deadlines. To say an artist of both these sorts has range may be the grander claim, for the ability to make such clear, compelling statements in such different forms is something to marvel. In all aspects of Instrumental, Dave Chisholm proves himself to be that kind of artist with that kind of marvelous range."
-Anthony Dean Harris, Nextbop.com
Dave Chisholm's INSTRUMENTAL in concert
Experience the cinematic jazz-meets-post-rock-meets-comic-books from Dave Chisholm’s multimedia graphic novel + soundtrack “Instrumental” in concert.
“Instrumental” consists of a 224-page graphic novel published by Z2 Comics and a full-length soundtrack released by Nick Finzer’s Outside-In Music. Eastman graduate (‘13 DMA) Dr. Dave Chisholm is the author, illustrator, composer, and performer of this ambitious work.
The live performance of this music is not to be missed, as the five-piece group brings the provocative graphic novel to life in real time. In addition to Chisholm’s emotive trumpet playing, the group includes Colin Gordon on alto sax, Matthew Curlee on piano and keyboards, Dave Kluge on bass, and Aaron Staebell on drum set. The entire musical performance is accompanied by a slideshow of stunning art from the book, creating an immersive listening experience that is perfect for a festival crowd!
PRESS for Instrumental
https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/instrumental/
"The black-and-white artwork in *Instrumental *is dynamic and inventive, perfectly illustrating both the transcendence of music, and Tom’s struggle as he falls under the influence of the trumpet and everything it represents. Instrumental is recommended for any reader, but perhaps most for those who have a love for music. "
http://nextbop.com/blog/davechisholminstrumental
"Dave Chisholm spent years putting this book together, and likely spent about as much time on the accompanying music. It is the culmination, for both these important forms of expression, of the labor of a man who has so much to say and so many means of saying it, and in these various means, he manages to say it all particularly well. To say a musician has range implies an ability to play the quiet and loud, the big and small, the fast and slow, the multitude of genres and tones, perhaps with adaptability with various players. To say a visual artist has range notes fluency in assorted media, an understanding of history while making insightful statements about the present and the future, and perhaps the ability to hold to deadlines. To say an artist of both these sorts has range may be the grander claim, for the ability to make such clear, compelling statements in such different forms is something to marvel. In all aspects of Instrumental, Dave Chisholm proves himself to be that kind of artist with that kind of marvelous range."
"As an artist, Chisholm’s style adheres to a decidedly modern look and feel, calling to mind the overall aesthetic look and feeling of Charles Burns’ disconcerting Black Hole while still maintaining a strongly individualistic look and feel perfectly complemented by the accompanying music. Taken as a whole, Instrumental and the world it inhabits is well worth an extended visit. Chisholm’s numerous creative panel structures and use of multi-genre storytelling making for a highly enjoyable reading experience. 8/10 stars"
"Reflective of jazz itself, Chisholm’s panels of art and text move with feeling and tempo, in places unafraid to riff. The depiction of Tom’s gradual wasting away is particularly well illustrated, as are some “face melting” music sessions."
http://anonmagazine.com/creation-stories-david-lynch-existentialism-and-jazz-instrumental-review/
"What is apparent mostly from Instrumental is that this book and album seem to be a labor of love. What is so wonderful to see is this person, Dave Chisholm, who is in- between two worlds- comics and music- make a project that encompasses both. It is incredibly rewarding and awe-inspiring to see these worlds be meshed and compliment one another. Instrumental is a phenomenal work from a powerhouse of a talent who deserves all of the credit in not just one medium, but two."
http://www.bigshinyrobot.com/59990/interview-dave-chisholm/
"Bringing a virtuosic command of the language of graphic novels, Chisholm provides a story that is both touching with a strong sense of the inevitable woven amidst the fantastic."
https://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/rochester/graphic-novel-instrumental-tackles-creative-ambition/Content?oid=3428174
"Through thoroughly engaging storytelling and enthralling illustrations, the book blends a fantastical adventure into ordinary creative lives and offers philosophy about the balance of talent, ambition, and power."
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/dave-chisholm/instrumental-chisholm/
"Chisholm’s sumptuous art has the fluidity and chiaroscuro of Paul Pope’s work, though with a more cartoonish tinge. Strategically ambitious paneling underscores otherworldly elements."
https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-940878-15-7
"Creator Chisholm is a jazz musician himself, and this Gaiman-like fantasy about the blurred line between art and magic is solidified by an underlying sense of lived reality; the characters inhabit a real world of burned-out speakers, coffee-shop gigs, and day jobs. "
http://www.jazzrochester.com/2017/05/a-man-a-horn-a-graphic-novel-dave-chisholms-instrumental.html
"I consumed Instrumental in a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon and the experience was new and compelling. The story is dark, the images full of motion, becoming dream-like as Tom plays the horn and his playing becomes more like what he's hearing in his head, the crowds come out to hear. "
https://icv2.com/print/article/37143
"Think of this story as the anti-La La Land, a darker and grimmer version of the obsessions of a jazz musician."
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/instrumental-review-by-mark-sullivan.php%20target=blank
"Chisholm makes a striking impression as trumpeter and composer with Instrumental, aided by a sympathetic band. It's a memorable contemporary jazz album taken by itself, made even more memorable in combination with his graphic novel. I listened to the music before reading the comic, but have to confess that it's now hard to remember the album without reference to the visuals. "
Podcast interview: http://comicsalternative.com/comics-alternative-interviews-dave-chisholm/
"Dave’s background — a professional trumpet player, songwriter, composer, bandleader, and educator — becomes the wellspring from which he pulls his narrative, so much of his conversation with Derek is devoted to the power of music and its translation into visual form."
http://www.multiversitycomics.com/podcasts/rft-381-chisholm/
"Dave Chisholm may not have been in the comics industry long enough to achieve the ‘rock star’ status of someone like Jim Lee or Paul Pope, but in terms of creating both comics AND music, he’s a band apart from just about every other creator out there. "
Artist Photo
Stage Plot
Dave Chisholm Bio
Dave Chisholm is a trumpet player, songwriter, composer, bandleader, educator, and visual artist currently residing in Rochester, NY where he received his doctorate in jazz trumpet from the Eastman School of Music in 2013. The breadth of Chisholm's artistic output is exemplified in a long string of widely varied projects including his newestrelease Instrumental, a 224-page graphic novel + modern-jazz soundtrack via Z2 Comics and Outside In Records. In addition to Instrumental, Chisholm's commercial releases include the big-band jazz of his debut album Radioactive (2010), the post-rock-meets-jazz-improvisation soundscapes on Calligraphy (2011), his soulful indie-rock singer-songwriter project Talking Under Water, online-exclusive albums by Utah group John Henry and live performances from his time at Eastman, and releases by the upstart jazz big bands Salt Lake Alternative Jazz Orchestra and Colossus.
As a trumpet player, Dave has garnered international acclaim. In 2012, he performed six nights at the Umbria Jazz Festival as part of Ryan Truesdell's "Gil Evans: Centennial" project and his group Calligraphy was invited to play at the Festival of New Trumpet Music, curated by trumpeter Dave Douglas. In 2009, he was one of two recipients of the Downbeat Student Music Award for outstanding collegiate soloist.
Dave wrote and illustrated his first graphic novel, LET'S GO TO UTAH!, in 2009, followed by short comics in MYSPACE DARK HORSE PRESENTS, and Locust Moon's Eisner Award-winning anthology, DREAM ANOTHER DREAM. He currently teaches a wide variety of topics at the Hochstein School of Music and Dance.