Jazz Articles about George Schuller

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

by Nic Jones
May 20, 2008

"Dewpoint," the appropriately titled opening track of Like Before, Somewhat After, the sophomore release of George Schuller's work with Circle Wide, is perhaps as elucidating as any semester-long course in conveying what it means to reaching a threshold of precise saturation, neither failing to live up to the bar set high nor causing discomfort by reaching too high and producing a work of pretentious chaos.

“Dewpoint" is one of two original tracks on the record, the ...

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

by John Sharpe
May 15, 2008

It's now some thirty-one years since the demise of Keith Jarrett's “American Quartet," uniting Ornette Coleman alumni Dewey Redman and Charlie Haden with former Bill Evans drummer Paul Motian. That group's masterpiece and effective swansong was Survivors' Suite (ECM, 1976), and so it is fitting that two sections are reprised on drummer/composer George Schuller's affectionate tribute to the band, alongside four other Jarret pieces and two originals.

It takes both the vibes of Tom Beckham and ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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. ...

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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 ...

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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 ...