Jazz Articles about John Patitucci

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Joanne Brackeen: Pink Elephant Magic

by Glenn Astarita
May 1, 1999

One of the great pianist’s and unsung heroes in Modern Jazz returns in incendiary and dynamic fashion. Joanne Brackeen’s Pink Elephant Magic is stunning, articulate and easily one of the premier jazz recordings of 1999.

The title track and opener, “Pink Elephant Magic” is simply an outstanding composition! The complex and seemingly difficult to perform arrangement is multifaceted, cleverly orchestrated and superior in scope and altogether artfully constructed. Brackeen, with the assistance of Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Chris Potter (soprano sax) ...

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Joanne Brackeen: Pink Elephant Magic

by Jack Bowers
May 1, 1999

This new recording showcases not one but two of Joanne Brackeen’s conspicuous talents, and is uplifted not only by her exemplary keyboard work but her persuasive writing as well. Brackeen, now some 30 years removed from her early service with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, writes with clear images in mind, and the results can be observed in such charming sound portraits as “Pink Elephant Magic,” “Ghost Butter,” “Filene’s,” “Beethoven Meets the Millennium in Spain” and “Cram ’n Exam” (a note–heavy ...

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JoAnne Brackeen: Pink Elephant Magic

by Jim Santella
May 1, 1999

From the march tempo and hard bop power of “Pink Elephant Magic" to the drifting ballad waltz time of “Filene’s," JoAnne Brackeen’s latest album covers a lot of territory. The pianist’s seven compositions, coupled with three familiar pieces, provide variety and result in a well-rounded set. Bret Primack’s informative liner notes are available on the ‘net at http://www.arkadiarecords.com . Brackeen has a forceful keyboard style that drives her ensemble with percussive power. Her thirty-year career includes experience with Art Blakey, ...

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Joanne Brackeen: Pink Elephant Magic

by Bob Margolis
April 1, 1999

A Master pianist other than a Flanagan, or a Peterson, is faced with the daunting task of recording something that separates them but allows for their brilliance to shine through. The subject of this piece has consistently been able to do this, primarily using vehicles other than the trio or solo format. Putting together perhaps her finest band since the late 1980's quartet featuring Billy Hart, Cecil McBee and Gary Bartz, pianist and composer Joanne Brackeen has just put out ...

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John Patitucci: Now

by Douglas Payne
April 1, 1999

Bassist John Patitucci ascended to deserved prominence as a significant catalyst in Chick Corea's Elektrik/Akoustic bands (1986-93). But despite consistently excellent work elsewhere since then, Patitucci's solo career (which began with his eponymous 1987 debut on GRP) has not yet produced much that's memorable - until Now. Here, the bassist shares a perfect telepathy with his rhythm section, featuring drummer Bill Stewart and the instantly identifiable and dominant presence of guitarist John Scofield. Chris Potter and the surprisingly understated Mike ...

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John Patitucci: Now

by John Sharpe
November 1, 1998

Because John Patitucci's last CD (One More Angel) was such a maudlin snooze-fest, I approached Now with a certain amount of trepidation. My fears where unfounded. Now possesses everything One More Angel lacked----high energy, a variety of moods and tons of hot licks. The musical sparks come courtesy of jazz's most exciting guitarist, John Scofield, the bullwhip snap of Bill Stewart's drums and the scorching tenors of Michael Brecker and Chris Potter. Although bassist Patitucci, who spent ten years with ...

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John Patitucci: Now

by Jack Bowers
September 1, 1998

Bassist Patitucci's third release for Concord Jazz is essentially a quartet date with tenors Chris Potter (five tracks) and Michael Brecker (two) augmenting the rhythm section. The horns take a break on the last three tracks, McCoy Tyner's “Search for Peace" (a trio), Trane's “Giant Steps" (Patitucci, Stewart) and Patitucci alone on his own composition, “Miya." Patitucci, a proud parent, dedicated the album to his then two-month-old daughter, Sachi Grace, as several of the titles would indicate - “Grace," “Out ...