Jazz Articles about Jack Reilly

Jack Reilly Trio: Live at Dean Clough

by Samuel Chell
August 7, 2009

Jack Reilly Trio Live At Dean Clough Dean Clough Unichrom 2007

After composing, performing and recording a work motivated by and patterned after a struggle with a life- threatening illness (Innocence: Green Spring Suite, Unichrom, 2007), Jack Reilly might be expected to lighten up on his sequel. Recorded in March 2007, even the cover of Live at Dean Clough, depicting the pianist in an English pub apparently enjoying a leisurely ...

Jack Reilly: Making the Most of the Gift of Life

by Ralph A. Miriello
January 14, 2008

After nearly three-quarters of a century, Jack Reilly's career is hardly in need of queries from one more interviewer--questions about his past associations, his musical history or his previous recordings and accomplishments. These have been fairly well documented. The accomplished and well-traveled pianist/composer, though undeniably obscure to the general public, has made an indelible mark in both the classical and jazz worlds--especially through his ability to marry two seemingly disparate musical styles, classical and jazz, in ways that continually bring ...

Jack Reilly Trio: Innocence - Green Spring Suite

by Samuel Chell
December 21, 2007

Jack Reilly Trio Innocence: Green Spring Suite Unichrom 2007

“A man's reach must exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?" Pianist/composer Jack Reilly is a creative spirit whose temperament matches that of an indomitably positive, life-affirming major poet such as Robert Browning. Seeing obstacles as challenges, set-backs as opportunities, and failures as mere preludes to success, both artists embrace a creed that insists on going for broke, and doing so with gusto. Because ...

Jack Reilly: Pure Passion: Solo Piano Improvisations

by John Kelman
August 15, 2005

With the surprising wealth of exceptional music out there, discovering any new artist is always a treat. But when one comes across a performer as impressive as Jack Reilly--a pianist who, while performing for over 45 years, has mysteriously remained outside the watchful eye of the greater jazz fan base--that joy of discovery is equally coloured with a sense of curiosity. After all and with rare exception, Reilly has worked solely under his own steam, releasing a small body of ...

Jack Reilly's "Jazz Requiem" at College of DuPage, March 13, 2005

by Jeff Stockton
March 23, 2005

The lines separating jazz and classical music blur in pianist Jack Reilly's compositions as he imagines Mozart in the 21st Century, not as the romanticized classical giant, but as an improvising ensemble member in a jazz band. It's an intriguing concept: Is composition simply improvisation slowed down? And is improvisation merely composition sped up?

Modeled on Mozart's own Requiem, Reilly's Jazz Requiem is difficult to perform. You need a choir to sing along with your saxophone quartet; you need a ...

Jack Reilly: Jack Reilly Trio

by AAJ Staff
April 12, 2002

Jack Reilly Trio (Blue-Sean-Green) Unichrom Ltd. Jack Reilly is an interesting study in contrasts, Bill Evans is omnipresent in his playing, but there is a classical edge that gives him a unique style [with] musical depth. Jack Six on Bass and Drummer Joe Cocuzzo provide the ideal accompaniment. Ever the spear carriers, they do not overplay but perform superbly in support. 'Halloween' This tune is a treat with tricky machinations by Reilly. Delicious humor with a hint of darkness dancing ...