Coryell Auger Sample Trio

The Coryell Auger Sample Trio (often abbreviated as CAST!) is a jazz fusion ensemble formed in 2007, notable for featuring the sons of three legendary jazz musicians: Julian Coryell on guitar, Karma Auger on drums, and Nicklas Sample on bass. The group is recognized for its dynamic blend of jazz, rock, and funk, and for its commitment to live, improvisational energy in both studio and concert settings.

Formation and Background

• The trio was conceived when Julian Coryell and Karma Auger met while performing with Julian’s father, Larry Coryell, in July 2007. They quickly bonded and decided to start a project together, soon bringing in Nicklas Sample.
• Their first session as a trio resulted in the composition of an entire album in just four hours, reflecting their strong musical chemistry and improvisational prowess.
• The group’s name, CAST!, is derived from the initials of their surnames.

Members and Musical Lineage

• Julian Coryell: Son of jazz guitar pioneer Larry Coryell. Julian is a Berklee College of Music alumnus and has performed with artists such as Carole King, Jewel, Aimee Mann, Dave Brubeck, Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham, and Leonard Cohen. He has also played to sold-out crowds at Tokyo’s Budokan with Kazuyah Yoshii.

• Karma Auger: Son of renowned organist/keyboardist Brian Auger. Karma has toured and produced tracks for his father and other major artists, including Eric Burdon, Robby Krieger, Larry Coryell, and Billy Cobham. He credits his father for his deep musical education and business acumen.

• Nicklas Sample: Son of jazz legend Joe Sample. Nicklas began his musical education watching his father and has played professionally in the LA scene with artists like Nikka Costa, Zoo Story, Daniel Cage, Jakob Dylan, Duke Daniels, and Alison Sudol. He is also a member of The Crusaders and the Joe Sample Trio.

Musical Style and Approach

• The trio’s music is rooted in jazz fusion, combining sophisticated jazz harmonies with the energy of rock and the groove of funk.
• Their approach to recording is notably organic: they play together in a single room without headphones, aiming to capture the raw energy of live performance.
• Their improvisational style and strong interaction are central to their sound, often described as a jazz-based jam band with a “propulsive” groove.

Discography and Performances

• Their debut album, Coolidge Returns, was self-produced and recorded in Julian Coryell’s Venice studio over three days, essentially as a live album.
• The trio previewed material for their second album during live performances, including the track “Song For Our Fathers,” a tribute to their legendary fathers.
• Notable tracks include “Purple Panther,” which showcases Larry Coryell’s melodic influence and the trio’s interactive style.
• CAST! has toured extensively across the United States and Europe, performing at jazz festivals and sharing bills with their fathers’ bands, such as Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express, Larry Coryell Trio, and Joe Sample.

Critical Reception

• The trio has been praised for their electrifying live performances and their ability to “sever the bonds of their self-forged iron groove to scream like Icarus toward the sun.”
• Critics have described their sound as “George Benson meets Rare Earth meets Funkadelic meets Dicky Betts,” with clear influences from the elder Auger, Coryell, and Sample.
• Their concerts have been listed among the top performances of the year in cities like Pittsburgh.

Legacy and Influence

• The Coryell Auger Sample Trio stands out for its unique intergenerational connection, merging the musical legacies of their fathers with their own contemporary vision.
• Their work is seen as a continuation and evolution of jazz fusion, appealing to both traditional jazz audiences and fans of modern improvisational music.

Summary Table: Members and Lineage

Member	Instrument	Parent (Legend)	Notable Collaborations/Background
Julian Coryell	Guitar	Larry Coryell	Carole King, Jewel, Aimee Mann, Leonard Cohen
Karma Auger	Drums	Brian Auger	Eric Burdon, Robby Krieger, Billy Cobham
Nicklas Sample	Bass	Joe Sample	The Crusaders, Joe Sample Trio, Nikka Costa

Key Albums

• Coolidge Returns (Debut album, self-produced)
• Second album (in progress as of 2009, featuring “Song For Our Fathers”)

Notable Performances

• Extensive touring in the US and Europe
• Jazz festivals and club dates, often alongside their fathers’ bands

The Coryell Auger Sample Trio is a compelling example of jazz fusion’s ongoing evolution, blending virtuosity, improvisation, and the rich musical heritage of three jazz dynasties.

Sources

• http://kenfrancklingjazznotes.blogspot.com/2009/02/coryell-auger-sample-trio-in-concertthe.html
• https://www.holican.io/artist-wiki/coryell-auger-sample-trio
• https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/coryell-auger-sample-trio/
• https://www.allmusic.com/artist/coryell-auger-sample-trio-mn0002481356
• http://www.jwpjazz.com/Introducing_Coryell_Auger_Sample_Trio.01.02.09d.html
• https://www.allaboutjazz.com/news/introducing-coryell-auger-sample-trio/
• https://beyondchron.org/the-coryell-auger-sample-trio-comes-to-healdsburg/
• http://www.jwpjazz.com/cast.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Coryell
• https://www.guitarsalon.com/blog/julian-coryell-joins-csu-dominguez-hills