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Jazz Articles about Alan Hall
Alan Hall: Heroes, Saints and Clowns
by Chris M. Slawecki
Ratatet, the sextet led by drummer Alan Hall, doesn't seem to quite fit into a musical box of any style or shape. One of the San Francisco Bay area's most respected musical performers and educators, Hall assembled this uniquely constructed ensemble from fragments of previous engagements: He previously played in a trio called Electreo with Paul Hanson (here on tenor sax and bassoon, acoustic and with electronic treatments) and Jeff Denson (on fretless electric and double acoustic bass). Hall and ...
read moreRatatet: Arctic
by James Nadal
The Ridgeway Arts non-profit venture in San Francisco Bay Area, was established by bassist/educator Jeff Denson, to provide and promote performance, education and recording opportunities for serious artists. The electro- acoustic ensemble, Ratatet, released Arctic as part of this program, and is an example what can be accomplished with dedication and determination. Ratatet was formed by drummer Alan Hall, with the intention of performing jazz that is expansive and ingenious. With the novel approach of having bassoonist Paul ...
read moreJohn Harrison Trio: Roman Sun
by Craig W. Hurst
Roman Sun is a delightful collection of smartly arranged, and deftly performed tunes selected from jazz standards, and the enduring corpus of the Great American Songbook. An original composition, the CD’s title cut, by leader/pianist John Harrison rounds out the ten selections on the recording. Good consistent time, driving swing, tight ensemble, and the inventive soloing present on Roman Sun exemplify skills of musicians who obviously possess chops that far exceed a mere level of competence.The title tune ...
read moreThe John Harrison Trio: Roman Sun
by Jack Bowers
Another superb piano trio, this one from the Boston area and comprised of names that were unknown to us but no less impressive than many who are. The pianist, John Harrison III, is a forceful two--handed player who always knows precisely where he has been and where he is going. Drummer Alan Hall and bassist Peter Kontrimas forge a solid substratum, allowing Harrison to traverse his sinuous musical pathways without fear of mishap. The recipe calls for straight--ahead ...
read moreJohn Harrison Trio: Roman Sun
by Glenn Astarita
The folks at Rhode Island-based, “Whaling City Sound” continue to highlight the abundance of jazz talent emanating from the New England area. The celebration surges onward with the debut release by the “John Harrison Trio.” On this newly issued outing, pianist John Harrison guides his rhythm section through a program consisting of standards, one Harrison original composition (“Roman Sun”) and a few less familiar works by others. Thus, nothing new or radically different yet Harrison is a zestful artist who ...
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