At the end of the 2025 Rochester International Jazz Festival, beloved New Orleans performer Trombone Shorty returned for a triumphant, free set downtown. If fest goers came early, they were treated to another speciality: Helium Bubble, a neo-soul, fusion-inspired group fronted by vocal talent Julia Weatherholtz.
The foundation of Helium Bubble includes several local heavy hitters, even as its music remains as vaporous (and playful) as its moniker. Drummer Tommy Mintel anchors Phish tribute band The Nasty Flyers; bassist Tyrone Coley frequently plays with contemporary mainstays Deepak Thettu and Judah Sealy; the fretboards of guitarists Paul McArdle and Brother Wilson have backed up several artists; and pianist Greg Woodsbie is no stranger to switching up genres.
It’s a formidable wrecking crew, and each member gets their due on the high-energy new album “Answers,” released June 28. As a cohesive document, the collection pans between subterranean showcases for Weatherholtz’s soulful croon and livewire instrumental flourishes.
“Mirage,” a breakneck fusion cut, nods to Woodsbie’s recent Jazz Festival set, recreating the Brecker Brothers’ “Heavy Metal Be-Bop” with the Viavattine Bros. Similarly, “Jonah” finds Mintel stealing the show with stuttering, complex rhythms, while sci-fi opener “On Your Side” flexes toward progressive jazz.
But the collection largely belongs to the lighter moments from Weatherholtz, including two collaborations with R&B and hip-hop talent Senoj from the Roc. The best one, the tender but muscly “Before the Sun,” is a perfect record for festival season in Rochester. It will sound just as good with a chill in the air, thanks to a pair of windswept lead-guitar lines.
That’s what makes “Answers” so dynamic. Technically dazzling and exciting with nimble turns of phrase, it’s made for all terrain.
Patrick Hosken is CITY’s arts reporter. He can be reached at patrick@rochester-citynews.com.
This article appears in Dec 1-31, 2024.
