Jazz Articles about Joe Magnarelli

Joe Magnarelli: Three On Two

by Dan Bilawsky
July 30, 2015

The majority of trumpeter Joe Magnarelli's leader dates have been no-nonsense, straight ahead quintet outings, so on the surface, it might appear that he's settled into something of a rut. But appearances can be deceiving. Only those who haven't heard Magnarelli's albums would think such a thing. For with each one, he's managed to peel back another layer, revealing new aspects of his artistic persona while also building on his previous work. Magnarelli is living proof that you don't need ...

Joe Magnarelli: Lookin' Up!

by Bruce Lindsay
July 12, 2014

Trumpeter Joe Magnarelli has been a jazz scene stalwart for 30 years. Based in New York since 1986 he's worked with a broad range of musicians including Lionel Hampton, Jimmy Cobb and Michael Feinstein and has released a series of albums as leader. Lookin' Up! is his first recording for the Posi-Tone label and it proves to be a fine addition to that label's roster of top-flight straight-ahead jazz.Lookin' Up! is a quintet outing, with trombonist and fellow ...

Mike Holober & The Gotham Jazz Orchestra: Quake

by Elliott Simon
March 15, 2009

Duke Ellington's legacy is alive and well with pianist Mike Holober and The Gotham Jazz Orchestra. Holober makes use of the increased musical scope that 17 pieces give him to weave compositional strength within a sound that sways more than swings. Some of the finest jazzers New York City has to offer join Holober for this session. Their individual talents are certainly showcased but the strength of this release is how Holober fits them all together to ...

Joe Magnarelli's Trumpet Jams

by Jim Santella
March 7, 2009

Marcus Printup, Ryan Kisor & Joe Magnarelli Jam Session, Vol. 25 SteepleChase 2008 Gratitude SteepleChase 2008 The Marty Sheller Ensemble Why Deny PVR Records 2008 A veteran of the Big Apple jazz scene for 23 years, trumpeter Joe Magnarelli brings a clear tone, crisp articulation and fiery imagination to these sessions. On Jam Session Vol. 25, Magnarelli teams with ...

Joe Magnarelli: Persistence

by Nicholas F. Mondello
October 28, 2008

Joe Magnarelli Persistence Reservoir Music 2008

The stark black and white cover photo of trumpeter Joe Magnarelli peering out at you from the cover of Persistence emits a brooding and a blandness that is light years away from the robust, enjoyable musical experience offered by the music on the disc itself.

Magnarelli, a first-call trumpeter among first-callers, leads an exciting group of other New York musicians (stars ...

Joe Magnarelli: Hoop Dreams

by David A. Orthmann
September 15, 2006

Over the past dozen years trumpeter Joe Magnarelli has gradually transformed a bebop-derived vocabulary into a highly personal style. Utilizing a full-bodied tone that never turns strident, Magnarelli invites the listener to focus on the substantive dimensions of his playing, rather than drawing attention to technique, velocity and influences. Beautifully crafted melodies spring from his horn in varying shapes and sizes. Sometimes he'll sustain a chain of thought for several measures; in other instances he'll parcel out a complete idea ...

Mike Holober and the Gotham Jazz Orchestra: Thought Trains

by Robert R. Calder
March 23, 2005

Mike Holober's not just another pianist working within long-established post-Bill Evans methods, he's one of the rare very individually creative ones. Given his more monumental approach, his Gotham Jazz Orchestra can seem something of an extension of his piano work. His orchestration sometimes fills out a piano conception, sometimes interacts with his playing, piano concerto fashion. A band member's solo will sometimes have the full orchestra, sometimes the at times equally full-sounding rhythm section, in accompaniment. Planned and grand. With ...