Jazz Articles about Nat Janoff

like 5

Daniel Bennett: The Deconstructed Songbook

by Konstantin N. Rega
June 15, 2026

Multi-instrumentalist and composer Daniel Bennett takes on a list of covers for his project The Deconstructed Songbook with surprising results. Joined by drummer Koko Bermejo, Jason Yeager on piano, guitarist Nat Janoff and Jeff Dingler on electric bass, the group feels well-rounded. Though Bennett allows himself one original tune near the beginning, it does not feel out of place beside tracks by Horace Silver or Lennon-McCartney. For fans of Joni Mitchell who like the song “Both Sides Now" (even if Judy Collins' version ...

like 5

Daniel Bennett Group: The Deconstructed Songbook

by Kyle Simpler
April 26, 2026

In many cases, the idea of “deconstruction" suggests dismantling something to reveal its inner workings. When it comes to art, this is often done in ways that lean toward the avant-garde. But on The Deconstructed Songbook, veteran saxophonist Daniel Bennett takes a different approach. Rather than tearing down familiar material, he reshapes it into something both familiar and modern, offering a new perspective on a collection of mostly well-known songs. Bennett, an award-winning performer and composer with more ...

like 123

Nat Janoff: Come Together Move Apart

by Bruce Lindsay
May 18, 2011

Guitarist Nat Janoff's Come Together Move Apart appears over a decade after his critically-applauded debut, Looking Through (Independent Records,1999). He's not been idle during the intervening years, but his recorded output has been sporadic. That's to be regretted, for Janoff's playing is a delight, and his fellow musicians on this album are some of the brightest and best on the scene. Janoff's early influences include Eddie Van Halen, whose playing was the catalyst for Janoff's move from ...

like 279

Take Five With Nat Janoff

by AAJ Staff
October 17, 2010

Meet Nat Janoff:Guitarist, composer and teacher Nat Janoff is a graduate of William Paterson University, with a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Performance. His debut recording, Looking Through, featuring the rhythm section of world renowned electric bassist, Matthew Garrison, and drummer Gene Lake, put Nat on the map as both a player and a composer. Two more albums soon followed--a live acoustic recording with fellow William Paterson alumnus Jake Schwartz, simply titled Live, and a collaborative project ...

like 190

The Nat Janoff Group: Looking Through

by Walter Kolosky
April 3, 2004

The Nat Janoff Group Looking Through NATJ 1999

Better late then never. I have some vague recollection of being contacted by Mr. Nat Janoff several years ago by phone and being asked to review this CD. For one reason or another, it never happened. Upon my favorable view of his most recent recording, Nat & Jake- Live , I decided to go back and give a listen to this 1999 release. I ...

like 178

Nat Janoff and Jake Schwartz: Live

by Walter Kolosky
March 4, 2004

A lot of professional guitar players are going to listen to this live album and determine they must abruptly change career paths. The playing is that good. There are truly only a handful of jazz players who can claim a unique voice on acoustic guitar. John Scofield once said that is why he doesn’t play it. He lamented that, with very few exceptions, all electric jazz guitarists sound the same when they unplug. Nat Janoff and Jake Schwartz are two ...

like 113

Nat Janoff: Looking Through

by Scott Andrews
March 5, 2003

New Jersey jazz guitarist Nat Janoff leads a strong trio on the 1999 record Looking Through, which merits a look back in time. Janoff has played with Michael Brecker and Kenny Burrell. On this self-released debut, he leads a trio with the ace rhythm section of bassist Matthew Garrison and drummer Gene Lake through seven original tunes. Garrison's credits include John McLaughlin's Heart of Things band and sessions with David Fiuczynski and Steve Coleman; Gene Lake has played with Steve ...