Jazz Articles about Dan Pratt

like 8

Andrew Rathbun Large Ensemble: Atwood Suites

by Dan Bilawsky
June 25, 2018

The marriage between jazz and poetry is having a true moment in the present artistic sphere. The two have long mixed and mingled, oft proving sympathetic and symbiotic in their multidirectional moves, unique cadences, and improvisational capacities. But never before has the connection been so strong and centralized. With drummer Matt Wilson's triumphant encounter with the work of Carl Sandburg, soprano saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom's exploration of Emily Dickinson's writing, saxophonist Benjamin Boone's collaboration with Philip Levine, and a handful ...

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Dan Pratt Organ Quartet: Toe the Line

by Woodrow Wilkins
April 5, 2010

Toe the Line is a phrase which signifies unwavering obedience to a doctrine, structure, or rule, but the Dan Pratt Organ Quartet defies such a rule. The group conforms to the rule of playing with flair, but little else.

Pratt, who plays tenor saxophone, was a member of the Monterey Jazz Festival High School All-Star Band, and his professional career includes work with Joe Lovano, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and the Christian McBride Big Band.

“Houdini," the first of eight ...

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Dan Pratt: Toe The Line

by Dan Bilawsky
March 27, 2010

Toe The Line does far more than its name implies. Saxophonist Dan Pratt has put together a record that, while loyal to the “small organ group" tradition, also manages to cover broad stylistic ground. Within this category, certain norms or standards seem to be expected in the music: Jimmy Smith's records provide a grooving and intense blues-based sound; Larry Young's albums have an adventurous streak; and modernists like Sam Yahel often create otherworldly aural collages. Organist Jared Gold takes from ...

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Dan Pratt Organ Quartet: Springloaded

by AAJ Staff
October 15, 2004

DPOQ, as it's named on the cover of Springloaded, stands for the Dan Pratt Organ Quartet, a smokin' band led by tenor saxophonist Dan Pratt. DPOQ draws upon the foundations of organ jazz as set by Jimmy Smith and Larry Young, using modern compositional forms to create up-to-the-minute jazz that combines invention and swing. The members of DPOQ are young and they take no prisoners.

Pratt exemplifies the approach of DPOQ. He composed most of the tunes on ...