Jazz Articles about Mark Egan

About Mark Egan

Album Review

Mark Egan often provides subtle accompaniment, holding things together with his bass work and making other musicians look good in his role as a studio musician. The music on Truth Be Told shows off his extroverted side as he blazes through an assortment of funk/fusion tracks with some formidable sidemen along for the ride. The quintet--Egan, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, percussionist Roger Squitero, keyboardist Mitch Forman and saxophonist Bill Evans--launches right into a funky strut on the album ...

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Album Review

Mark Egan: As We Speak

Read "As We Speak" reviewed by Jeff Dayton-Johnson

by Jeff Dayton-Johnson
September 24, 2006

Given Mark Egan's long and deep involvement with the commercial end of the music business (as evidenced by a long resume of session credits in the jazz and pop worlds), the personality of this record is perhaps surprising. As We Speak is essentially a blowing session, with no overdubs or big production numbers. Not that there's anything wrong with that; indeed, the format, a necessary complement to Egan's other activities, is doing the leader a world of good. And not ...

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Album Review

Mark Egan: As We Speak

Read "As We Speak" reviewed by John Kelman

by John Kelman
September 8, 2006

While the innovations of the late Jaco Pastorius continue to be felt to this day, he's not the only electric bassist to develop a recognizable fretless sound. Born the same year as Pastorius, Mark Egan has built his career around a denser tone and more eminently lyrical disposition. While Pastorius was capable of equal melodism but often resorted to greater bombast, Egan has remained distinctive and been a more consistent team player. As We Speak is a strong example--the bassist's ...

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Album Review

Bill Evans: Touch

Read "Touch" reviewed by Paula Edelstein

by Paula Edelstein
June 1, 1999

Touch, produced by veteran saxophonist-composer Bill Evans for his debut on Zebra Records is one of compositional integrity that continues to explore the melodic themes of his previous release, Starfish & The Moon. His 11th as a leader, Touch exemplifies the personality and depth of Bill Evans’ musicianship on tunes ranging from smooth to straight ahead, charged with soaring soprano and robust tenor solos. The serenely lyrical “In Your Heart” imprints his smooth sax deep within the soul, ...

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Album Review

Bill Evans: Touch

by Ed Kopp
June 1, 1999

Whenever I hear a soprano saxophone played over a pre-programmed beat my attention inevitably wavers, even if the music it is somewhat challenging. I call this condition the Kenny G Syndrome.While listening to Touch I really had to fight through the Kenny G Syndrome on a couple of tracks, but in time I warmed up to most of these 11 tunes.To be fair, Bill Evans is no Kenny G. He's a veteran solo artist with a ...

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Album Review

Pat Metheny Group: Pat Metheny Group

Read "Pat Metheny Group" reviewed by AAJ Staff

by AAJ Staff
February 1, 1997

This album stands out from the others I've reviewed to date (for a number of reasons). I've been a Metheny fan my entire life, but had never thought of his work as groove oriented (except for the relatively recent commercially-successful release). But, I was wrong. I recently became more attuned to grooves through a playing experience and it opened my ears to hearing grooves better. When I put this album on recently after a long time since I had listened ...