Featuring: Gregory Tardy, Dan Hitchcock, Aaron Matson, Peter Stoltzman, Steve Haines, Xavier Ware, Jorge Luis Torres “Papiosco,” Ariel Pocock and Mavis “Swan” Poole.

#9 on NACC Top 30 Jazz Chart
#7 on RMR Top 50 Contemporary Jazz Album Chart
#11 on RMR Top 50 Contemporary Song Jazz Chart

“Morning Star sees the trumpeter explore a jazz universe tinged with soul and blues.”
- Arnaud G. Veydarier, sortiesJAZZnights.com (Quebec)

“Heflin puts his stamp on the album with his elegantly fluid way of playing.”
- Georg Modesttn, Jazz’nMore (Switzerland)

“Heflin delivers a radio show worth keeping on your dial.”
- George Harris, Jazz Weekly

“The considerable degree of balance and integration of melody, harmony and rhythm, of composition and improvisation, of exploration, individuality and expressive force is impressively maintained throughout this exquisite music.”
-Raul D Gama, JazzDaGama

“Flowing from an intimate whispering trumpet tone to an exciting crackling intensity of his upper register, Heflin always keeps melody and rhythm in mind.”
Jeff Becker, Jazz Sensibilities

“The level of musicianship impresses from the always-inspired front-liners to the powerful rhythm section...It's ultimately the leader's bright horn, however, that gives the project its primary identity.”
Ron Schepper, Textura

“This is truly a top-notch production worth checking out.”
Glenn Daniels, The Jazz Page

”The ensembles create a musical atmosphere that is pure sonic joy.”
Brice Boorman, Chalked Up Reviews

”Trumpeter Thomas Heflin blends modern jazz with touches of R&B and soulful singing to make Morning Star a winner.”
D. Oscar Groomes, O’s Place Jazz Magazine