If the PVR-Jazz Quartet's Jake Epstein could have his own Field of Dreams, he'd probably fill it with the saxophone legends of his youth, icons like Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Stitt, Charlie Parker, and Johnny Hodges. They are among the ghosts who haunt the PVR-Jazz Quartet's debut album, Reunion. Epstein, who plays alto saxophone with the PVR-Jazz Quartet, wanted to pay homage to his earliest and most beloved influences. However, the result is less of an adoring tribute than an impressive display of veteran talent. One doesn't come away from Reunion with a new appreciation of Adderley or Parker; instead, the reaction is, “Wow, who are these guys?"
The PVR-Jazz Quartet is named after Pioneer Valley in Western Massachusetts. The group is basically consists of musicians with ties, past or present, to the University of Massachusetts. Every summer the University of Massachusetts has a special program called “Jazz in July" in which local and national jazz talent unite for lectures, classes, and live performances celebrating the music's rich history. In 2007, while speaking at “Jazz in July," Epstein gathered together the individuals—pianist Andy Jaffe, bassist Genevieve Rose, and drummer Tom Briggs—that would complete the band.
The University of Massachusetts will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Jazz in July" this month so it's only fitting that the PVR-Jazz Quartet would simultaneously release its first album. Ironically, one of the finest tracks on the record is an original composition from Briggs. “Thoughts of You" stomps the floor with its shuffling rhythm, and Epstein's swirling sax takes to the skies. It's an uplifting jam inspired by Briggs missing his family when he was touring with the U.S. Coast Guard Band. On their version of Parker's “Now's the Time," the PVR-Jazz Quartet reach another high namely due to the infectious swagger of Epstein's saxophone and Jaffe's lively piano. Hopefully, it won't take long for the PVR-Jazz Quartet to have their next Reunion.
The PVR-Jazz Quartet is named after Pioneer Valley in Western Massachusetts. The group is basically consists of musicians with ties, past or present, to the University of Massachusetts. Every summer the University of Massachusetts has a special program called “Jazz in July" in which local and national jazz talent unite for lectures, classes, and live performances celebrating the music's rich history. In 2007, while speaking at “Jazz in July," Epstein gathered together the individuals—pianist Andy Jaffe, bassist Genevieve Rose, and drummer Tom Briggs—that would complete the band.
The University of Massachusetts will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Jazz in July" this month so it's only fitting that the PVR-Jazz Quartet would simultaneously release its first album. Ironically, one of the finest tracks on the record is an original composition from Briggs. “Thoughts of You" stomps the floor with its shuffling rhythm, and Epstein's swirling sax takes to the skies. It's an uplifting jam inspired by Briggs missing his family when he was touring with the U.S. Coast Guard Band. On their version of Parker's “Now's the Time," the PVR-Jazz Quartet reach another high namely due to the infectious swagger of Epstein's saxophone and Jaffe's lively piano. Hopefully, it won't take long for the PVR-Jazz Quartet to have their next Reunion.
