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Jazz Articles about Bobby Selvaggio

6
Album Review

Bobby Selvaggio 11: Stories, dreams, inspirations: for my boy

Read "Stories, dreams, inspirations: for my boy" reviewed by Mark Corroto


There is something special about the people of Northeastern Ohio. They take great pride in what is called “The Land." Cleveland sports fans may be the most loyal, whether they turn out for baseball's opening day in a snowstorm or cheer for an imagined Super Bowl game which has yet to materialize. They even root for stars such as native son LeBron James, who now plays basketball in Los Angeles. The same can be said of Cleveland's jazz musicians. From ...

7
Album Review

Bobby Selvaggio: Quantum Man

Read "Quantum Man" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan


For lack of a better description, the latest project by Cleveland-based musician Bobby Selvaggio is a melding of textures between the saxophonist's jazz quartet and a string quintet consisting of two violins, two violas, and cello. It's a heady assignment that many have tried over the years. In fact, there have been more failures in this genre than successes. A highpoint of this type of fusion has always been The October Suite a 1966 Impulse date featuring pianist Steve Kuhn ...

10
Album Review

Bobby Selvaggio: Short Stories

Read "Short Stories" reviewed by Mark Corroto


Like the Japanese calligraphy art know as ensō, the condensed and succinct introduction alto saxophonist Bobby Selvaggio delivers on the track “Price Of Being (Intro)" is a disciplined stroke, delivered with an ease and elegance that belies the character and control required for such a statement. He works his instrument through this exercise with such command and strength, the sound gives the impression it is effortless. But then, such is the dominion Selvaggio exhibits on his eighth recording ...

2
Album Review

Bobby Selvaggio: Way Of Being

Read "Way Of Being" reviewed by Mark Corroto


Bobby Selvaggio's Way Of Being epitomizes a restless sound, one that belies the alto saxophonist's unflappable nature. His latest release builds upon the groove-heavy folk/pop/funk sound of Grass Roots Movement (Arabesque, 2011).This disc, his seventh as a leader, is split evenly between the electric Grass Roots Movement quartet and an acoustic Shake Trio. Both groups sizzle with the saxophonist's ultra-nimble and penetrating sound. The veteran of Joe Lovano's band and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Selvaggio's music is a ...

150
Album Review

Bobby Selvaggio: Grass Roots Movement

Read "Grass Roots Movement" reviewed by Mark Corroto


Bobby Selvaggio's Grass Roots Movement, marks his sixth release as leader and second outing for Arabesque Records. This quintet record follows his 2009 disc Modern Times, recorded with veteran pianist Kenny Werner. Here, the saxophonist employs some new names, an electric groove, but no worries, the musicianship retains the highest standards. Here he switches on the power with an electric ensemble, where only drummer James Johnson is unplugged. He might as well be plugged in, however, because he ...

457
Album Review

Bobby Selvaggio: Modern Times

Read "Modern Times" reviewed by Jim Santella


Alto saxophonist Bobby Selvaggio carries an expressive torch when he fronts this ensemble. His fifth CD as leader brings nine original pieces and a cover of “You've Changed" into the improvisation arena for a program of acoustic modern jazz that ranges from quirky and dynamic to bluesy and frank. His fluid tone and easygoing articulation carry the alto and soprano on a journey that respects tradition while pumping new energy into the scene. Selvaggio leaps with high-octane drive on numerous ...

178
Album Review

Bobby Selvaggio: Unspoken Dialogue

Read "Unspoken Dialogue" reviewed by Mark Corroto


Listening to Unspoken Dialogue by saxophonist Bobby Selvaggio raises the old debate of composer versus improviser. Of the nine tracks found here, eight were penned by Selvaggio, plus “Alone Together by Arthur Schwartz. Is he a player or a writer?

Perhaps arranger is his strongest suit.

Selvaggio's compositions are keen to animate his fellow musicians on this recording, especially the adroit humor that is Kenny Werner's piano and the exuberant trumpet/flugelhorn of Paul Tynan. This ensemble ...


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