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Naked Truth: Shizaru
by Lawrence Peryer
Naked Truth is the brain child of Italian bassist Lorenzo Feliciati, who has made a name for himself throughout Europe since 2005 as both a leader and collaborator. Feliciati has said that Naked Truth came from his desire to create a band where “each voice is equal and contributes to the musical conversation," and where no instrument dominates the melodies or solos. Instead, each composition is based upon a riff or sonic motif, with the players all responding with improvised ...
Continue ReadingCuong Vu 4-tet: Leaps of Faith
by AAJ Italy Staff
" Body And Soul ," “ All The Things You Are ," My Funny Valentine “. Tre standard, tra i più visitati/riletti/reinterpretati, in rapida sequenza. Ennesima incursione in melodie senza tempo per mascherare carenza di idee, ennesima dimostrazione di abilità ed esibizionismo strappa applausi, ennesimo tentativo di ridare vitalità alla corrente principale del jazz, ennesimo piatto precotto abbellito con decorazioni d'effetto ma di poca sostanza ? Niente affatto, se a servirlo (il piatto) sono due visionari come il trombettista di ...
Continue ReadingCuong Vu: Agogic Logic
by Ian Patterson
New York may be the major incubator for all that's best in American jazz but there are healthy signs that vibrant scenes are emerging in other cities. Long-term New York-resident, alto saxophonist David Binney recently expressed a desire to spend more time in the jazz scene in Los Angeles, where he says: “there's something really happening." Further north, in Seattle, there's something going on too; an exciting scene is developing around a core of young musicians who see the jazz ...
Continue ReadingCuong Vu: Cooking in Seattle
by Ian Patterson
Returning to home town Seattle after 15 years on the east coast has been a good move for trumpeter Cuong Vu judging by the outstanding music on these three CDs and the movement he has largely inspired in Seattle's young creative musicians. Bassist Luke Bergman is a constant on these recordings, adding new depth to Vu's 4-Tet on the uniquely atmospheric live recording Leaps of Faith, and wonderful grooves to Agogic, the self-titled debut of an exciting quartet. A little ...
Continue ReadingCuong Vu: Leaps of Faith
by Jerry D'Souza
Over the last 10 years, trumpeter Cuong Vu has made an impact as an innovator who filters music through the prism of his imagination. He has been agile enough to fit into bands as diverse as those led by Myra Melford and Pat Metheny, and has also carved a niche for himself as a leader who turns his compositions into distinctive portraits of startling imagery. On Leaps of Faith, he focuses his attention on three jazz standards, two pop tunes ...
Continue ReadingAgogic: Agogic
by Jerry D'Souza
Table and Chairs music is a new label dedicated to harnessing Seattle's rich music legacy. Its first release, Agogic, is the eponymous debut featuring trumpeter Cuong Vu and saxophonist Andrew D'Angelo. D'Angelo cast his dye as an alto saxophonist in Seattle before moving to New York, and has played with Kurt Rosenwinkel and Erik Friedlander, among others. Vu has made an indelible impression as a thoughtful and resourceful musician, one who is never afraid to forge ahead and create new ...
Continue ReadingAgogic: Agogic
by Mark F. Turner
Seattle's music scene is well known for its alternative rock bands, such as Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden. But the nonconformist jazz of Agogic's debut would rival them all in terms of its own energy and inventiveness. Born from the collaboration between saxophonist Andrew D'Angelo and trumpeter Cuong Vu (whose resumes are dotted with the likes of David Bowie, Pat Metheny and Kurt Rosenwinkel), the group is further cemented by bassist Luke Bergman and drummer Evan Woodle.
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