Jazz Articles about Odean Pope

Odean Pope: Odean's Three

by Greg Simmons
May 24, 2013

It's been a banner year for tenor saxophone trios. Not the most common lineup, this challenging ensemble has seen some terrific releases from musicians both famous and unsung, veterans and newcomers alike. Now Philadelphia saxophonist Odean Pope adds his superb contribution with Odean's Three. It might not be fair to judge any jazz musician by the standard of whether he's become a 'household name.' What's famous among jazz fans--a group dedicated to esoteric musicians if ever there was ...

Catalyst: The Complete Recordings - Vols. 1-2

by AAJ Italy Staff
October 28, 2010

La musica, per certi versi, se la sta passando male. E' anche per questo che ciò che è rimasto del “mercato" che ha dominato la scena di oltre un ventennio, magari motivato dai classici iper-collezionisti o fanatici o ancora studiosi, è ormai da tempo al lavoro nei territori delle ristampe, delle rimasterizzazioni, delle riedizioni. Terminati i big (si fa per dire), ora si passa agli “altri". Altri che magari per sfortuna o per diversi motivi non erano riusciti, a suo ...

Odean Pope: Odean's List

by Troy Collins
May 27, 2010

Though best known for his lengthy tenure accompanying legendary drummer Max Roach, Philadelphia-based tenor saxophonist Odean Pope has long demonstrated a flair for writing and arranging that is as impressive as his sideman work. His most arresting compositions have been conceived for his decades-old Saxophone Choir, while smaller-scale projects have featured his improvisational prowess in collaboration with peers such as Dave Burrell, Khan Jamal and Sunny Murray. The octet featured on Odean's List gracefully integrates the intricate charts of Pope's ...

Odean Pope: Odean's List

by Dan Bilawsky
May 17, 2010

Odean Pope Odean's List In+Out Records 2009

Saxophonist Odean Pope is probably one of the most underappreciated jazz musicians of his generation. While Pope is most often cited for his long tenure with drummer Max Roach, his own recordings--from trio outings to his explosive saxophone choir albums--show a tough-toned tenor titan who writes and scores brilliantly for groups of any size and plays his heart out on every occasion. Pope came up on the ...

Odean Pope: Plant Life

by AAJ Italy Staff
July 6, 2009

Noto al grande pubblico per la sua lunga militanza nei gruppi di Max Roach, il tenorista Odean Pope è strumentista che per convenzione viene incluso nei “post-coltraniani," ma nel cui vigore espressivo troviamo anche molti altri riferimenti alla grande tradizione sassofonistica afroamericana. Il recente Plant Life, pubblicato dalla ottima Porter Records, lo vede alla testa di un trio completato dal contrabbassista Lee Smith e dalla batteria di Sunny Murray, formazione che gli consente di mettere in luce tutta la capacità ...

Odean Pope: A Singular Voice in the Choir

by Elliott Simon
March 11, 2009

Grounded in the Baptist spirituals of his youth followed by a musical upbringing in Philadelphia with the likes of John Coltrane and organist Jimmy Smith as mentors, tenor saxophonist Odean Pope is the bridge between hard bop and free.

His contributions to jazz are of major historical significance and through his over two decade long fruitful association with drummer Max Roach, groundbreaking saxophone choir, trio and quartet work and educational outreach he has influenced generations of ...

Odean Pope: Serenity

by AAJ Italy Staff
July 30, 2008

Questo primo disco in solo di Odean Pope si relaziona al precedente lavoro (To the Roach) inciso dal sassofonista per l'etichetta di Bob Rusch. Nei giorni di quella registrazione, Odean era solito scendere in giardino all'alba ed improvvisare di fronte al canto degli uccelli. Il produttore ricorda nelle note di aver casualmente assistito ad una di queste performance, e di esserne rimasto così colpito da voler programmare la produzione di quest'opera (che è stata effettivamente ripresa all'interno di un contesto ...