Jazz Articles about Nick Brignola

About Nick Brignola

Interview

Nick Brignola: Between A Rock And The Jazz Place, Part 2

by Rob Rosenblum
May 15, 2025

Part 1 | Part 2 This interview was originally published in 1969 in an Albany, New York area arts publication called Transition. It documents a time when saxophonist Nick Brignola was in the process of trying to break out of the confines of bebop and incorporate some of the elements of fusion that was beginning to dominate the jazz market. There are many references to a recording he was in the process of making. It was ...

Interview

Nick Brignola: Between A Rock And The Jazz Place

by Rob Rosenblum
April 16, 2017

Party 1 | Part 2 This interview was originally published in 1969 in an Albany, New York area arts publication called Transition. It documents a time when saxophonist Nick Brignola was in the process of trying to break out of the confines of bebop and incorporate some of the elements of fusion that was beginning to dominate the jazz market. There are many references to a recording he was in the process of making. It was ...

Interview

Nick Brignola: Big Horn, Strong Words

by Rob Rosenblum
October 30, 2016

This article first appeared in Coda Magazine in 1978. With the possible exception of torture, there has never been an art form more maligned than jazz. So, it is inevitable that every once in a while there is an exceptional musician who finds that the financial rewards of being a jazz musician are too small, and its spiritual compensations too infrequent to continue this masochistic pursuit. Case in point--Nick Brignola. If you say “Nick Who?" then ...

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Album Review

Nick Brignola: Things Ain't What They Used To Be: Last Set at Sweet Basil

Read "Things Ain't What They Used To Be: Last Set at Sweet Basil" reviewed by R.J. DeLuke

by R.J. DeLuke
December 1, 2003

Nick Brignola was one of the most robust baritone sax players and could burn with the best of them. Even though he usually took a back seat to Gerry Mulligan or Pepper Adams in popularity polls, he was starting to see more of the limelight before he died of cancer in 2002, drawing in more fans and critical acclaim (though he always had a decent share of both). A good example of what one would encounter in a club can ...

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Album Review

Nick Brignola: What It Takes

by William Grim
August 1, 2002

Nick Brignola was one of the greatest baritone saxophonists of the 20th century and this album was one of his best and most far-ranging efforts. Focusing on straight ahead and bop oriented material, Brignola begins the album with an up-tempo of version of “Star Eyes” in the style of Charlie Parker. Randy Brecker on trumpet delivers a great solo that is reminiscent of Charlie Shavers. “Au Privare,” another Parker favorite, is performed with muted trumpet and Brignola on clarinet doubling ...

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Album Review

The Three Baritone Saxophone Band: Plays Mulligan

Read "Plays Mulligan" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella
April 1, 1998

Three of today's top baritone saxophone players bring their own interpretations and their own “tool sets" to this session which pays tribute to the legendary Gerry Mulligan. Adding bass and drums, the trio combines three-part harmony with expressive solos by each member of the quintet. As leader, Ronnie Cuber takes the top melodic line much of the time, and punctuates the ensemble's phrases with deep staccato notes and brief embellished gestures. Nick Brignola fills the middle harmony role, and lends ...