Jazz Articles

Our daily articles are carefully curated by the All About Jazz staff. You can find more articles by searching our website, see what's trending on our popular articles page or read articles ahead of their published dates on our future articles page. Read our daily album reviews.

138

Album Review

Nuclear Whales Saxophone Orchestra: Fathom This: A Retrospective

by C. Michael Bailey
October 1, 1999

A Novelty. Saxophone quartets are nothing new. The World Saxophone Quartet is perhaps the most famous and justly so for all of the members, present and past are famous in their own right. Bobby Watson’s 29th Street Saxophone Quartet has made a name for itself on RED Records. These are just two of several. Full saxophone orchestras such as the Nuclear Whales Saxophone Orchestra is a much rarer bird indeed. This orchestra, at this point, is a novelty, but a ...

146

Album Review

The Nuclear Whales: Fathom This

by Jim Santella
September 1, 1999

I love a good saxophone orchestra! The Nuclear Whales’ compilation Fathom This includes an eclectic program selected from their five albums, as well as several new tracks. Clearly recorded sound, a modern swinging approach, and a mixture of jazz with classical traces make their performances something special. As with other stellar saxophone ensembles, this one uses deep bass reed instruments to anchor while allowing the higher voices to float. The huge contrabass saxophone is used only for special effects; it’s ...