Jazz Articles about Colin Gordon

About Colin Gordon

Album Review

Brendan Lanighan Octet: A Little Optimism

Read "A Little Optimism" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
June 9, 2023

A Little Optimism, trombonist Brendan Lanighan believes, can often go a long way. That is the essential message of the Lanighan Octet's debut recording, a pleasurable pastiche of original compositions by the Buffalo, NY-born trombonist plus a pair of enduring standards that share a springtime theme and the name Richard Rodgers as composer. Along the way, Lanighan pays homage to one of his early heroes, the late tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker ("All Day Breckfest"); to another Buffalo-born ...

Album Review

Jonathan Saraga Quintet: First Vision

Read "First Vision" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
January 2, 2013

When young artists release their first album, it's always tempting to say they “show potential" or “are off to a good start," but those comments tend to be kindly veiled takes on “you get an A for effort, but should have waited a bit longer." Jonathan Saraga need not worry about having such pacifying comments thrown his way; the trumpeter's First Vision isn't the stuff of amateurs on the brink of musical maturity, it's a stand-up-and-take-notice offering. ...

Album Review

Jonathan Saraga Quintet: First Vision

Read "First Vision" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
December 25, 2012

Trumpeter Jonathan Saraga opens his debut, First Vision with the eleven-and-a-half-minute original, “Guidance," a probing rumination that flares up during his solo. The tune as a whole is a slow burn, but it bursts into high flames as it comes to its conclusion.The leader has assembled a fine quintet of standard configuration--two horns, a chording instrument (here, guitar), bass and drums. The music, all Saraga-penned, has an uncommon freshness coming from a 24 year-old artist who is well ...

Album Review

Jonathan Saraga: First Vision

Read "First Vision" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian

by Hrayr Attarian
December 23, 2012

Award-winning trumpeter Jonathan Saraga's First Vision, is a skillfully conceived and exquisitely realized debut that brings to mind the edgy, envelope-pushing hard bop of many a Blue Note record in the early 1960s. The modal melodies are artfully orchestrated, allowing each musician the full breadth of his spontaneous creativity without resorting to unfettered clamor. Not a single note is wasted. Whether on trumpet or flugelhorn, Saraga's clear, elegiac tone weaves intricate musical tales around the themes. “Guidance," ...