Jazz Articles about Brandon Wright

About Brandon Wright

Album Review

Posi-Tone Records produces coherent projects and maintains high standards in part by keeping things in-house; that is, frequently drawing on a substantial roster of affiliated artists to serve on a particular leader's record. A case in point is Feel The Love, Farnell Newton's third release for the label. While Newton's measured, concise, full-toned trumpet stylings and five, melodically rich compositions are a large part of the record's appeal, there are other factors that stand out. By turns ...

Album Review

Farnell Newton: Feel The Love

Read "Feel The Love" reviewed by Kyle Simpler

by Kyle Simpler
November 1, 2021

When cellist Pablo Casals was 93 years old, someone asked him why he still spent hours a day practising. Casals humorously replied that it was because he was beginning to notice some improvement. Like Casals, many other musicians spend hours practising and, in most cases, this dedication comes purely from a true love of music. Trumpet player Farnell Newton is no exception and, with Feel The Love, his passion for music is evident throughout. During the first two ...

Album Review

Brandon Wright: Journeyman

Read "Journeyman" reviewed by AAJ Italy Staff

by AAJ Italy Staff
October 3, 2012

Nella borsa da viaggio preparata dal sassofonista Brandon Wright ci sono tutti i migliori vestiti del perfetto interprete mainstream. In un'ora abbondante di musica troviamo up- tempo vertiginosi, languide ballad, fiammate di soul jazz, gli immancabili standard, ed una comparsata di Fender Rhodes giusto per essere à la page. A ciò si aggiungono musicisti di provata qualità che fanno correre la musica lungo binari consolidati esibendo grande padronanza di linguaggio ed un ferreo interplay. Quello che manca in Journeyman sono ...

Album Review

Brandon Wright: Journeyman

Read "Journeyman" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
May 31, 2012

Posi-Tone Records is known for showcasing nascent talent, often aligned with proven jazz warriors. With his sophomore release for the label, young tenor saxophonist Brandon Wright garners sympathetic and dynamic support from his ensemble, comprising time-honored vets, such as pianist David Kikoski and bassist Boris Kozlov. Drummer Donald Edwards transmits a holistic rhythmic stance with his acute penchant for toggling between soft and accenting accompaniment or when kicking matters into tenth gear. Possessing a big, blustery sound, Wright executes a ...

Album Review

Brandon Wright: Journeyman

Read "Journeyman" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
May 12, 2012

Saxophonist Brandon Wright sells himself a little short with the title he selected for his sophomore release. While he has been honing his skills while working in the employ of artists like trombonist John Fedchock, E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg and trumpet legend Doc Severinsen, he's hardly an apprentice at this point. Wright's debut--Boiling Point (Posi-Tone, 2010)--gave notice that a new and exciting saxophone slinger had entered the picture and Journeyman helps to confirm his status as one of ...

Album Review

Brandon Wright: Journeyman

Read "Journeyman" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay

by Bruce Lindsay
May 8, 2012

Beware of album titles that seem to damn with faint praise. Although saxophonist Brandon Wright takes inspiration for the title of his second album from the words of novelist Cormac McCarthy, Journeyman is a term that usually conjures up an image of a reliable, hard-working, solid but uninspiring type of person. All admirable qualities, of course, but hardly earth shattering or applicable to the playing talent of the New York based musician. It's clear from Wright's opening phrase on “Shapeshifter" ...

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Album Review

Brandon Wright: Boiling Point

Read "Boiling Point" reviewed by Elliott Simon

by Elliott Simon
June 6, 2010

A talented young saxophonist, Brandon Wright came to NYC from Miami and honed his craft in its intimate uptown and downtown venues, while taking advantage of the Petri dish nature of its musician collegiality. And Wright obviously did more than just show up and play. He had to have listened, learned, practiced and sweated to master the full-throated sound that so impresses on each of Boiling Point's eight cuts. As is obvious from both the compositional strength of the originals ...