Jazz Articles about George Schuller

George Schuller's Circle Wide: Like Before, Somewhat After

by John Kelman
May 10, 2008

Despite Keith Jarrett's ongoing success as a solo improviser and standards interpreter, many bemoan his decision to stop writing in the mid-1970s. Improvisation may be spontaneous composition but, with his 1970s American and Scandinavian Quartets, the pianist created a songbook that remains influential to this day. George Schuller's Round 'Bout Now (Playscape, 2004) was a thoroughly personal tribute to Miles Davis' transitional period of 1967-1969. Returning with Circle Wide for Like Before, Somewhat After, the drummer fashions an equally distinctive ...

George Schuller's Circle Wide: Like Before, Somewhat After

by Troy Collins
May 7, 2008

On Like Before, Somewhat After, drummer George Schuller reconvenes his group Circle Wide, last heard on its 2003 Playscape debut Round 'Bout Now, a tribute to the pre-fusion electro-acoustic work of Miles Davis. Once again tapping the 1970s for inspiration, Schuller delves into the discography of pianist Keith Jarrett's classic American Quartet, which featured Dewey Redman (reeds), Charlie Haden (bass) and Paul Motian (drums).

Criminally underrated, Jarrett's American Quartet embraced the diversity of its time, seamlessly blending numerous ...

George Schuller: Jigsaw

by Jerry D'Souza
July 25, 2004

George Schuller has moved from the basic quartet of his band The Schulldogs to fashion music for a conglomerate that moves from a quintet to a septet for this record. While the extra horns bring in a greater depth and extension, the addition of strings lends a serene presence. Together they add to the lure, and the call.

Schuller says that he had violinist Mark Feldman in mind for the three-part suite called “Tense." It is apparent why. ...

George Schuller: JigSaw

by Ty Cumbie
July 3, 2004

If the opening violin/trombone duo (Mark Feldman and Curtis Hasselbring, who also plays guitar on the session) momentarily reveals a strong vein of new classical influence, the ensuing drum/bass vamp, topped with a spirited trumpet solo (I would bet money Dave Ballou made some funky physical movements delivering it) dispels any fear of being subjected to a large dose of snooty chamber music. The piece evolves, leading to a passage with drawn out polyphonic lines, then a solo free-for-all over ...

George Schuller: JigSaw

by John Kelman
June 9, 2004

As an extension of his Schulldogs project, JigSaw finds drummer/composer George Schuller following somewhat in the third stream path of his father Gunther. With a group of players who double on so many instruments in order to provide a broad complexion of textures, Schuller comfortably blends free improvisation, new music and a surprising sense of swing for a recording that succeeds on many fronts.

While he plays on a little over half of the recording, the presence of violinist Mark ...

George Schuller: 'Round 'Bout Now

by Florence Wetzel
March 16, 2004

Round ‘bout Now is the recording debut of the George Schuller Quintet, a group that has played steadily in New York for the past four years. From its title to its aesthetic, the CD is inspired by Miles Davis, particularly his fertile pre-fusion period in the late ‘60s. But although Davis is the reference point, this group of talented musicians makes the material their own, using the master to find their own mastery. Of the eight songs, ...

George Schuller: Round 'Bout Now

by John Kelman
January 18, 2004

While revisiting of the electric work of Miles Davis has become somewhat commonplace these days, the transitional period between his second quintet of the 1960s and the explosion that would be Bitches Brew has received less attention than it deserves. With Round 'Bout Now the George Schuller Quintet, formerly known as Chump Change, makes its recording debut with an album that pays tribute to such albums as Circle in the Round, Filles de Kilimanjaro, and In a Silent Way.

Although ...