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Jazz Articles about Josh Lawrence

8
Album Review

Josh Lawrence: And That Too

Read "And That Too" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Less than ten seconds into “Grit," the opening track of Josh Lawrence's latest chapter as a leader for Posi-Tone Records, the trumpeter uncorks a jaw-dropping solo. Set in a brisk, no-nonsense tempo, it does not so much eclipse the music that follows as it sets the tone for the record by declaring that And That Too is playful and deadly serious. Lawrence's rich, full-bodied tone is the entryway to over two minutes of unadulterated invention. Every note ...

7
Album Review

Caleb Wheeler Curtis: Ain't No Storm

Read "Ain't No Storm" reviewed by Paul Rauch


Caleb Wheeler Curtis is a noted voice in the modern world of alto saxophone, in large part due to his association with fellow artists. Most significantly, his work with Philadelphia-based pianist Orrin Evans and the “village" of creative participants within has put a spotlight on his style which attaches itself to tradition while exhibiting a willingness to explore new territory. On his most recent release Ain't No Storm, he presents eleven original compositions that feature fellow Evans bandmates Mark Whitfield ...

11
Album Review

Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band: The Intangible Between

Read "The Intangible Between" reviewed by Paul Rauch


Pianist Orrin Evans has a deep understanding of the unshakeable bond between fellowship, humanity and the creative process. That knowledge has guided him through creating a remarkable catalog of music as both a leader and sideman, along the way, experiencing the fellowship of a collective of musicians he often refers to as “The Village." The Village is indeed real, and most aptly expressed musically through the The Captain Black Big Band, Evans' ensemble of anywhere between nine and ...

4
Album Review

Josh Lawrence: Triptych

Read "Triptych" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Triptych succeeds on the connection between Josh Lawrence's writing and a coterie of players with whom he has been associated for several years. A brilliant, enterprising band comprised of the leader's trumpet, pianist Zaccai Curtis, his brother, bassist Luques Curtis, alto saxophonist Caleb Curtis (no relation), and drummer Anwar Marshall readily embrace the contours of Lawence's compositions and inhabit the roles required by the music, while simultaneously bringing their own idiosyncrasies to the table. In an age when artists often ...

4
Album Review

Josh Lawrence: Contrast

Read "Contrast" reviewed by Thad Aerts


On Contrast, Josh Lawrence and Color Theory's second recording for Posi-Tone, the group executes a classic framework held together with tight chemistry. Lawrence may be the leader, but the gist of the end product is a very democratic arrangement where no one musician or group of musicians takes precedence. Each shine at various times throughout Contrast. The album is a fairly straightforward endeavor displaying solid, classic jazz in form and execution. It's at the sixth track, “Gray" that ...

7
Album Review

Josh Lawrence & Color Theory: Contrast

Read "Contrast" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Josh Lawrence & Color Theory's Contrast features a host of varied, sturdy and invigorating compositions by the leader, an ensemble that plays them with élan, a number of arresting soloists, and a rhythm section that rapidly moves between sly and rambunctious. While all of these factors are important, they don't adequately capture the record's essence. Perhaps another way of looking at Contrast is that a number of somewhat familiar elements exist side-by-side with an abundance of bold, startling moments that ...

2
Album Review

New Faces: Straight Forward

Read "Straight Forward" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


New Faces is the brainchild of producer Marc Free, who comingles the talents of six young jazzers, each of whom has led at least one session for Posi-Tone. With the exception of a Herbie Hancock composition, the material is comprised of attractive, catchy themes of varying degrees of complexity, penned by a number of the label's artists and originally released on records throughout Posi-Tone's two-decade plus history. The record was recorded in one day, the group sounds well prepared, and ...


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