Jazz Articles about Jim Robitaille

About Jim Robitaille

Album Review

As guitarist in a trio setting, Jim Robitaille has to wear a number of hats: melodic, harmonic and improvisational. And on Sonic, the Massachusetts-based guitarist's ninth recording under his name, Robitaille dons one more headdress, as eight of the album's ten numbers are his original compositions.Robitaille plays his parts well, as do his astute teammates: bassist Tom Casale and drummer Chris Poudrier. Even so, there is a persistent sameness throughout the session that seems to say, “Yes, this ...

Album Review

Jim Robitaille Group: A View From Within

Read "A View From Within" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
December 13, 2019

Jim Robitaille Group's A View From Within is a statement of extension and growth, building on the magic of the unit's debut—To Music (Whaling City Sound, 2004). For that earlier release, the guitarist fronted a flexible quintet elevated by his own harmonic savvy and the presence of saxophonist Dave Liebman. Here, speaking both to continuity and contrast, he reunites with the storied saxophonist, removes piano from the profile of his eponymous group, and fills things out with a different rhythm ...

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Album Review

Jim Robitaille Group: To Music

by John Kelman
April 8, 2004

Without taking away from the fact that guitarist Jim Robitaille is obviously his own man, it is a refreshing change to see someone who has obviously spent a lot of time studying John Abercrombie, who, while certainly a well-known name in modern jazz, regrettably doesn’t seem to have the same kind of popular clout as, say, Pat Metheny or John Scofield. And that’s too bad, because in many ways he is a broader player than both, yet still with a ...

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Album Review

Jim Robitaille: To Music

Read "To Music" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
March 3, 2004

Just about every new jazz guitarist who comes down the road cites Wes Montgomery as an influence. For once, on Jim Robitaille's To Music, you can hear it in the fluid grace, the slight bite in the tone. But the set isn't retro in any way; To Music has an unmistakable modern sound based on the guitarist's strikingly well-crafted songs and forward-looking arrangements.Of the nine songs offered here, no less than three are award-winners (from the Thelonious Monk ...