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Charles Pillow Ensemble: Chamber Jazz
by Jack Bowers
Chamber Jazz, alto saxophonist Charles Pillow's eighth recording as leader of his ensemble, is a generally sedate but remarkably engaging series of tone poems that combine contemporary jazz with elements of classical music to produce a hybrid that underlines what is most harmonious and charming in each genre. Chamber Jazz is what it says, and chamber jazz is what it is. For comparison's sake, think of the ensemble as the Modern Jazz Quartet times five. True, there is no John ...
Continue ReadingJeff Campbell Trio: A Declaration of Optimism
by Alexander M. Stern
Bassist Jeff Campbell's A Declaration of Optimism is a beautiful album with a lot to say, and manages to say it all in a very quiet way.
Beginning with the title track, Campbell's piano-less trio, also featuring tenor saxophonist John Wojciechowski = 15550}}, and drummer John Hollenbeck, establishes an intimate connection between the three instrumental voices. Appropriately, Campbell's voice is dominant, setting the tone on each track. Wojciechowski's ebullient tenor saxophone occupies the foreground, but it's always clear that Campbell ...
Continue ReadingJeff Campbell: A Declaration of Optimism
by Mark F. Turner
Bassist Jeff Campbell's A Declaration of Optimism's underlying theme of positivity is channeled into an engaging trio recording. An associate professor of jazz studies and contemporary media at the Eastman School of Music, Campbell divides his many duties between family, teaching, and performances with notables across the globe. When a good thing works, it's best to stick with it. Campbell reenlists two first callers and assured leaders--drummer John Hollenbeck and saxophonist John Wojciechowski, who both appeared on ...
Continue ReadingJeff Campbell: West End Avenue
by Eric J. Iannelli
West End Avenue was recorded in March 2003, just a few months after bassist Jeff Campbell's session with Trio East that resulted in Stop-Start, and, like that slightly earlier session, it features no harmonic instrument. Only this time around trumpeter Clay Jenkins has been replaced by tenor saxophonist and clarinetist John Wojciechowski, and drummer Rich Thompson with John Hollenbeck. The disc contains a mix of original compositions and songs by Irving Berlin ("How Deep Is the Ocean"), ...
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