Jazz Articles about Michael Sarin

Ben Allison and Medicine Wheel: Buzz

by John Kelman
May 21, 2004

On the fourth album with his group Medicine Wheel bassist Ben Allison continues to push the boundaries of structured music with a programme of six originals and one Beatles cover. With a straightforward sound that belies a richer complexity, Allison continues to present invention masked in simplicity, combining intelligence with emotional depth.

Buzz opens with Allison’s “Respiration,” a 9/4 piece that is insistent, with simple interweaving bass, piano and electric piano parts laying the groundwork for a snake-like horn theme ...

Ben Allison: Buzz

by Jim Santella
May 3, 2004

Ben Allison and Medicine Wheel have a history of going against the grain, with their provocative form of New York jazz. Allison has said that “a composition should create a landscape in which a musician can freely explore and find an individual voice.”

With its fourth release, however, Medicine Wheel turns collective and moves its circle closer to the center. Voices move together as one. Pleasant harmony and smooth rhythms support simple melodies. Their “New York buzz” ...

Mario Pavone Nu Trio/Quintet: Mythos

by AAJ Staff
October 1, 2002

One of the most prolific yet least recognized bassists on the New York scene today is Mario Pavone. Pavone, six decades into life, has no shortage of energy, and this is reflected on Mythos. Pavone offers three quintet tunes and eight trio tunes, mostly originals, on this outing. The piano trio is always at the center of the music, but a couple horns add nice density up top. As always, Pavone treads the line between swing and punch, structured composition ...

Mario Pavone/Michael Musillami: Motion Poetry

by AAJ Staff
February 1, 2001

While credited to bassist Mario Pavone and guitarist Musillami, Motion Poetry is truly a group effort. Their quartet (with pianist Peter Madsen and drummer Michael Sarin) enjoys a remarkable level of cohesion and energy. The demanding compositions on Motion Poetry (by Pavone and Musillami, as well as Thomas Chapin and Marty Ehrlich) require rock-solid on-the-spot tightness. The mostly upbeat character of these tunes emphasizes punch and groove. Motion Poetry, as the title suggests, emphasizes the development of melodic ...

Mario Pavone/Michael Musillami: Motion Poetry

by AAJ Staff
February 1, 2001

While credited to bassist Mario Pavone and guitarist Musillami, Motion Poetry is truly a group effort. Their quartet (with pianist Peter Madsen and drummer Michael Sarin) enjoys a remarkable level of cohesion and energy. The demanding compositions on Motion Poetry (by Pavone and Musillami, as well as Thomas Chapin and Marty Ehrlich) require rock-solid on-the-spot tightness.The mostly upbeat character of these tunes emphasizes punch and groove. Motion Poetry, as the title suggests, emphasizes the development of melodic ideas ...