Jazz Articles about Mark Sherman

Mark Sherman: Family First

by Budd Kopman
February 7, 2008

The eminently swinging Family First is vibraphonist Mark Sherman's second release with this working band, the previous one being One Step Closer (CAP, 2005). Sherman has been a stalwart of the mainstream scene for twenty years, and brings a true enthusiasm and deep love to this style of jazz. There can be no argument about the honesty of this recording. The main quartet--Sherman, Joe Magnarelli (trumpet/flugelhorn), Allen Farnham (piano) and Dean Johnson (bass)--are extremely tight, and together ...

Mark Sherman: Family First

by AAJ Italy Staff
July 5, 2007

Il lato gentile del neo-bop. Talvolta talmente gentile da sfociare in smooth jazz (di classe s’intende). Potremmo inquadrare in questo modo Family First, il nuovo lavoro di Mark Sherman, vibrafonista newyorchese saldamente ancorato allo straight-ahead jazz ma pure richiesto solista di grandi orchestre di musica classica. Che si tratti di brani a tempo veloce o medio lento, originals o composizioni altrui, Sherman riserva loro lo stesso trattamento. Arrangiamenti morbidi che riescono ad addolcire persino composizioni tutt’altro che lineari come quelle ...

Mark Sherman: Family First

by Michael P. Gladstone
June 26, 2007

Vibraphonist/composer Mark Sherman records as he has over the past twenty years and, unlike others who specialize on this instrument, continues to show no interest in expanding his sound to avant-garde or world music influences. What Sherman does exhibit is his use of Milt Jackson's blues and Bobby Hutcherson's shimmering vibes-style. Sherman's Family First again demonstrates that he is one of the best of the current vibraphonists on the scene. This album is very similar to One Step Closer (CAP, ...

Mark Sherman: Family First

by Eyal Hareuveni
June 2, 2007

Family First, by New York-based vibraphonist and educator Mark Sherman, revolves around similar concepts that reflect his spiritual, artistic, and personal priorities to reach, touch and move people. This is his second album with a working band that has developed a distinctive sound which includes the unison playing of Sherman's vibes and Joe Magnarelli's flugelhorn.

Sherman uses the ten pieces on the recording as vehicles for studying harmonic and rhythmic possibilities, mainly within the post-bop legacy. Examples include “Explorations, (a ...

Mark Sherman: One Step Closer

by Eric J. Iannelli
December 23, 2005

Joe Lovano's name may be what will first turn listeners' heads toward One Step Closer, but it will be vibraphonist Mark Sherman and his strong ensemble who will keep their attention fixed. Sherman himself is not as widely known as he could be, but he is by no means a newcomer to either the jazz or the classical scenes, having backed Peggy Lee, Mel Torme, and Gloria Lynne, performed with the New York Philharmonic, and released at least six earlier ...

Mark Sherman: One Step Closer

by John Kelman
September 29, 2005

Vibraphonist Mark Sherman has been on the scene for nearly two decades, working and recording with artists including Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, and Larry Coryell--with whom he was also producer, songwriter, and pianist for five years. So it's somewhat surprising that he's got such a small discography as a leader. Still, last year's The Motive Series, his first album since 1998's High Rollin', garnered significant critical acclaim and was in some respects a debut, insofar as it introduced him to ...

Mark Sherman: One Step Closer

by Jim Santella
September 26, 2005

Vibraphonist Mark Sherman lights fires with this straight-ahead session. His sterling sextet of all-star jazz veterans lends a cohesive hand to interpret his set of original compositions and standards with authority.

Emulating the vocal qualities of his instrument, Sherman spins slow ballads and up-tempo romps with facility. The round edges of his vibraphone tones emit a fluid glow. “Moon River" oozes with sentiment as the ensemble communicates its message convincingly. Allen Farnham's “Hope" rings true with the same ...