Home » Jazz Articles » Chris Massey
Jazz Articles about Chris Massey
Chris Massey & The NJP: Whosoever
by Dan Bilawsky
Drummer Chris Massey's debut--Vibrainium (Self Produced, 2011)--was an Art Blakey-influenced quintet date that put a modern slant on the hard bop tradition; this follow-up follows the same guidelines, but puts a greater emphasis on the modern. Massey tips his cap to those who came before him by including an always-in-style standard ("Old Devil Moon"), a high energy original ("Whosoever") that balances Blakey-esque ideals with McCoy Tyner-ish tendencies, and choice covers from past masters like saxophonists John Coltrane ...
read moreTake Five With Chris Massey
by AAJ Staff
Meet Chris Massey:Chris Massey is fast becoming one of the most talked about young talented players in the world of jazz. Growing up in small town Ohio where he picked up his first pair of drumsticks a the age of nine he took his first steps into his musical career as a Jazz Performance major at Youngstown State University in 2000. In 2003, Chris began performing with world-renowned artists such as former Jazz Messenger Donald Harrison ...
read moreChris Massey: Vibrainium
by Dan Bilawsky
A tight, two horn front-line, strong solo personalities, an aggressive--yet flexible--rhythm section and first-rate compositions are all part of the package on drummer Chris Massey's Vibrainium. From the first notes of the album-opening Galactus" to the end of Mr. Twilight," Massey demonstrates a take-no-prisoners attitude and a willingness to explore different avenues of music with great attention to detail and a good balance between explosive, raw energy and musical restraint. The aforementioned Galactus" starts off with a ...
read more