Jazz Articles about Jazz Mandolin Project

The Jazz Mandolin Project: Xenoblast

by Jim Santella
June 1, 2000

Jamie Masefield’s string jazz trio swings through a package of interesting themes that range from folk history to ride-cymbal-mainstream-jazz and on to blazing hot, electronic, backbeat jazz-rock. His compositions feature lovely melodies that adhere to specific impressions. These mental pictures become focal points for group improvisation and repetitious jam sessions. Masefield’s vivid imagery leaves no doubt for the listener, as in “Spiders," which ranges from open and natural to dense and mysterious. “The Milliken Way" drives through three styles, as ...

The Jazz Mandolin Project: Tour de Flux

by Robert Spencer
April 1, 1999

Mandolin, yes, but you won't find any foggy mountain bluegrass here. When these folks took the name the Jazz Mandolin Project, they could have been inspired by the Truth in Advertising Commission. Actually, without knowing that Jamie Masefield is wielding a mandolin (as well as a “tenor banjo"), a casual listener might figure that this is another album of guitar jazz. The music is thoroughly in the mainstream jazz groove, although there are a few surprise hooks: Masefield's “Chapeau" sounds ...

Jazz Mandolin Project: Tour De Flux

by AAJ Staff
March 1, 1999

The name attracts attention; outside of Dave Grisman, “mandolin jazz” is a contradiction of terms. This record, the Project’s second, comes after an impromptu tour with a new lineup, including the drummer from Phish. The novelty of the mandolin is soon forgotten; you remember the energy, the mad strumming, the restless exploration. This is many things, but it is serious music. Even if the leader wears a silly mask on the back cover.

Jon Fishman clicks off, and “Flux” starts ...

Jazz Mandolin Project: Tour De Flux

by Ed Kopp
March 1, 1999

“The future belongs to musicians willing to explore timbre in terms of new combinations of instruments that are not standard." So said jazz saxophonist and owner of Postcard Records Ralph Simon in a December 1997 JazzTimes article about the future of jazz.If Simon is right -- and I believe he is -- the future belongs to people like Jamie Masefield, leader of the Jazz Mandolin Project. Aside from Dave Grisman and Sam Bush -- talented musicians whose sensibilities ...

The Jazz Mandolin Project: Tour de Flux

by Douglas Payne
March 1, 1999

This Burlington, Vermont trio sounds more like an accomplished guitar trio than the gimmick their name might suggest. Maybe that's what makes Tour de Flux, the group's second disc in their four-year history, an absolute knock-out.Mandolin and banjo pyro-technician Jamie Masefield more or less leads the band. He's a methodic, even erudite player that careens the group through fairly unique territory. But you can still recognize the geek wackiness of Bill Frisell, the funky sophistication of John Scofield, ...