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Lou Grassi - Tom Varner - Ron Horton - Tomas Ulrich: Neo Neo
by Glenn Astarita
On Neo Neo, we are presented with an East Coast-based modern jazz power quartet featuring musicians who are equally proficient at skirting the edges of jazz theory or weaving mainstream ideologies into the “new” jazz approach, which unto itself elicits broad connotations. With this recent release, drummer Lou Grassi combines the talents of trumpeter Ron Horton, french hornist Tom Varner and cellist Tomas Ulrich for a series of pieces that meld modern jazz improvisation with (neo) classical overtones and bluesy ...
Continue ReadingGrassi/ Varner/ Horton/ Ulrich: Neo Neo
by Derek Taylor
With a pair of notable recent releases the CIMP team has returned their attentions to improvising groups who are experimenting in chamber jazz structures and instrumentation. Several earlier releases in the label’s catalog have explored this musical terrain with great success and it’s wonderful to see more music in this vein being brought to light. The players here explore the harmonic possibilities afforded by brass, strings and percussion and each is an undisputed master on his instrument. Varner has almost ...
Continue ReadingLou Grassi's Po Band: Mo' Po
by Derek Taylor
Grassi’s star is on the rise. As one of the most frequently recorded drummers for CIMP he’s found a nurturing avenue to communicate his abundant abilities. Listeners attuned to this handful of releases have been met by a mature musician whose only limits on his music are the number of hours in the day that he can devote to his craft. This disc is several years old and in the interim since it’s release Grassi has taken part in a ...
Continue ReadingRob Brown-Lou Grassi Quartet: Scratching the Surface
by Derek Taylor
The combination of Rob Brown and Assif Tsahar is quickly becoming my pairing of choice for reliably conceived improvisational brilliance. On the several recordings the two have graced together to date they demonstrate a degree of rapport that borders on the supernatural. Reference their unbelievable conversations on William Parker's “Posieum Pendasem" on the FMP label for a slice of what I'm alluding to. This date finds the two earlier in their associations and thankfully delivers another profusion of examples as ...
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