Jazz Articles about Joe Morris

Joe Morris Quartet: At The Old Office

by Glenn Astarita
May 1, 2000

Following up his hugely successful “Knitting Factory Records” release, featuring accordionist Andrea Parkins, bassoonist Karen Borca and saxophonist Rob Brown titled Many Rings, guitarist Joe Morris returns with his current working Quartet on the “live” set - At The Old Office. Here, the band performs at the Knitting Factory’s, “Old Office” which seems to be a popular venue for many modern jazz musicians for it’s sympathetic acoustical environment.

Joe Morris, viola/violinist Mat Maneri, drummer Gerald Cleaver and bassist Chris Lightcap ...

Joe Morris: Racket Club

by Glenn Astarita
November 1, 1999

Guitarist Joe Morris embellishes his already impressive recorded legacy with the newly released Racket Club on the About Time label. Recorded in 1993, this dynamic set features Morris pays a little homage to his blues and rock roots the twin drumming of Jerome Deupree and Curt Newton, along with Nate McBride’s thumping, slapping and funky electric bass work. Morris is clearly the traffic cop here while enjoying bountiful solo opportunities or laying down buzz saw like rhythms on electric guitar, ...

Joe Morris: Racket Club

by AAJ Staff
October 1, 1999

With few exceptions, funk and free jazz have remained a safe distance apart. The pioneering efforts of Ornette Coleman's Prime Time, along with the early recordings of James Blood Ulmer, helped bring free funk into the world. But ever since then, most musicians have stayed away.

Joe Morris, today's premier free jazz guitarists, usually pursues a gushing cerebral style of free jazz. Occasional exceptions stand out: 1990's self-released Sweatshop, a free funk power trio record; and the just-released ...