"A few months ago, I was lucky enough to have attended a set by Carol Morgan's jazz trio at the prestigious Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola in New York City. I was immediately impressed by her confidence and maturity as a soloist and a bandleader. Her willingness to explore less-travelled pathways in her improvisation and simultaneously sound easy and flowing marks her as an important voice on the trumpet."

Joel Frahm, Anzic Records Recording Artist

"Opening is an album so rich in the intricacies of melody that it never fails to surprise at every turn. The saddest aspect of the album is that it is all too short. But the biggest surprise of all is Carol Morgan, a trumpeter who seems to have awakened the urge to find parallels in phrasing with the great Clarence Shaw. The often discussed "talking" style of playing attributed to men like Shaw, as well as trumpet players such as Louis Armstrong, Jabbo Smith, Bubber Miley and Rex Stewart, finds its new epitome in Carol Morgan. Her "trumpet voice" is raw and husky, and it often slips into a velvety intonation that is so seductive it's impossible to resist. It stuns the inner ear into a kind of rapture that comes from being completely captivated by her sound. The notes she plays-no matter how brisk the pace of the song is-are flawless. And because she has an uncanny sense of finding the right note to begin with, her phrases are brilliantly crafted and become lines that are as narrative in a riveting way as they are lyrical. With this album, Carol Morgan has clearly arrived and is set to take the trumpet world by storm."

Raul d'Gama Rose, Allaboutjazz http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=36741

"Morgan has the tone and technique of a former classical player (she is) combined with a strong and sensitive approach to jazz. The success of this group is based on Morgan's impressive ability, and also on the work of her band mates, who are great choices to be fellow members of this configuration. With the release of this satisfying new album, Morgan is clearly a new voice on the trumpet scene who will be worth following in the years to come."--Brad Walseth, Jazz Chicago "Carol Morgan is a fabulous trumpet player with great tone and technique. "Opening Line" is a Carol original composition in a bebop style with impressive fast runs on trumpet. "Like Someone In Love" is a ballad played beautifully by Carol. There are similarities in tone and phrasing with Miles Davis on these slow pieces. Rich DeRosa's "Calypso Blue" ends up this wonderful CD with a combination of Calypso rhythms and bebop melodies."

Wilbert Sostre, Jazz Times

"We've seen several records through the years of piano-less trios led by sax players, but somewhat less of trumpet players, at least in the bop form. Morgan makes a fine addition to this under utilized configuration ...she is well versed in the balancing act of improvising and carrying the melody simultaneously. Through the Don Cherry articulations of the original "Opening Line" through the lush but lean romantic lines in Jimmie Van Heusen's classic "Like Someone In Love," Morgan shows time and again she knows how to construct a solo with choosing the right notes with the right accents, making one think she's written the book on jazz improvisation.
Opening offers the complete package for a trumpet-led CD of prime bop jazz played with taste and technical excellence."

Pico, Something Else!

"A real player with a big tone, Morgan leads the trio through a tour de force that unselfconsciously puts her front and center quite deservedly so. A mainstay in hipper New York jazz circles, this is another winning solo set from Morgan that should serve to widen the ripples from those circles a little farther west of the Hudson. Check it out."

Chris Spector, Editor and Publisher, Volume 33/Number 142, Midwest Record

"The Carol Morgan Trio is comprised of Carol Morgan (trumpet), Harvie s (bass), and Rich DeRosa (drums). The three players originally got together to play a series of sets at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola. The shows went so well that the three decided to record an album together...and thus Opening was born. This album has a nice sparse sound...presenting the tunes simply without unnecessary clutter. Morgan's playing is nice and fluid...and unlike most trumpet players she doesn't overplay the instrument. Harvie and Rich provide the perfect backdrop for Carol's understated lead melody lines. Eight classy cuts here including "Opening Line," "Dark Continent," and "Calypso Blue." Nice cool subdued stuff..."

Don Seven, LMNOP Magazine