Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
Philly Examiner reviews “Flip the Script”…
articles.philly.com
There comes a moment on pianist Orrin Evans’ new CD when he takes on Gamble & Huff’s “The Sounds of Philadelphia,” quietly passing through the tune alone. The piece is powerful and tragic, a resonant meditation on the gap between jazz and R&B and perhaps the shortcomings of his adopted town.
Evans also dips into Luther Vandross’ “A Br ...Read More
Nate Chinen reviews Orrin Evans for the NYTimes…
www.nytimes.com
Questioning Everything in a Jazz Dialogue: Socratic, Dark and Stormy
Orrin Evans Trio at Jazz Standard
Orrin Evans began one tune in his second set at the Jazz Standard on Tuesday night with a solo piano reverie, ethereal with a touch of the ominous, like Duke Ellington in a sepulchral mood. His dark but delicate sonorities slowly gathered force, until his left hand locked into a t ...Read More
Brandon Wright on The Pace Report…
The Pace Report: “Outward Journeyman”
In a very short time, saxophonist and bandleader Brandon Wright has gained the respect and accolades from the jazz and rock circles over the last decade. His sophomore project “Journeyman” on the Posi-Tone record label has gotten lots of critical acclaim as well as being hailed as one of the best jazz recordings so far in 2012. The disc ...Read More
JazzHistory Online reviews Brandon Wright “Journeyman”…
www.jazzhistoryonline.com
BRANDON WRIGHT: “JOURNEYMAN” (Posi-Tone 8095)
There’s a great urgency to the music of Brandon Wright. He seems intent on making every note count and every solo memorable. That spirit permeates throughout his sophomore album, “Journeyman”, whether he is tearing through the changes of “What Is This Thing Called Love” (via his original line “Shapeshifter”), ...Read More
JazzTimes interview with Brandon Wright….
jazztimes.com
It is always exciting when the work of a young, talented musician surfaces into the spotlight. Tenor saxophonist Brandon Wright has already accelerated into the big leagues with his ripe, flavorful sounds and technique. His playing is highly respected among leaders in the industry such as Eric Alexander, Chuck Mangione and many more. Wright has already earned the respect of fellow mu ...Read More
Brent Black on Brandon Wright “Journeyman”…
www.criticaljazz.com
Brandon Wright may well be the epitome of the searching artist. With one foot planted firmly in the more traditional Rudy Van Gelder school of making a record and the other foot moving forward in an attempt to make old school become new cool again, Wright’s playing is on par with any saxophone player working today. Toss in what is essentially a first call all star trio ...Read More
Midwest Record on Brandon Wright “Journeyman”…
midwestrecord.com
BRANDON WRIGHT/Journeyman: A busman’s holiday for members of The Mingus Big Band, Wright has blown his sax for everyone from Chuck Mangione to Fred Wesley, and if that doesn’t present a pedigree in everything from bop to funk and back around through the middle, what does? A hard blower that knows his stuff, he openly professes his love for 50s Blue Note, but he’ ...Read More
Midwest Record reviews “Heads or Tales”…
midwestrecord.com
TOM TALLITSCH/Heads or Tales: Not only a jazzbo but a bleeding heart liberal as well since he uses music to cut through autism at his various school and clinic work. He’s also one killer, mainstream sax man as well. Here we find Posi-Tone working on developing their house sound as label mate Jared Gold is heating up the B3 chair doing his part to keep this quartet working i ...Read More
Karl Stark reviews Tom Tallitsch “Heads or Tales”…
www.philly.com
Organ jazz, which has deep roots in Philly, often veers close to R&B or hard bop. Tenor saxophonist Tom Tallitsch, a Cleveland native who has taught at the Philadelphia Clef Club, takes organ jazz in a cool modernist direction, making this quartet session smart and dark. Tallitsch, a jazz radio host on Mercer County Community College’s WWFM HD2, also runs a music-tutoring busi ...Read More
Tim Niland writes up Tom Tallitsch “Heads or Tales”…
jazzandblues.blogspot.com
Tenor saxophonist Tom Tallitsch looks to demonstrate his talent as player and a composer on his debut for Posi-Tone Records. He is accompanied by Dave Allen on guitar, Jared Gold on organ and Mark Ferber on drums. The album is made up of original compositions and one interesting cover of Neil Young’s “Don’t Let It Bring You Down” which is taken as ...Read More