Jazz Articles about Quinsin Nachoff

About Quinsin Nachoff

Album Review

In a way, the Atwood Suites have been in the works for almost two decades. When Kenny Wheeler approached Toronto native Andrew Rathbun in search for a band in 2001, the former furthermore inquired if the latter would like a composition of his own penning to be performed beside Wheeler's “Suite Time Suite." Consequently, the “Power Politics Suite," which makes for the second half of the first CD, was born, with Wheeler's and vocalist Luciana Souza's sound specifically in mind. ...

Album Review

Andrew Rathbun Large Ensemble: Atwood Suites

Read "Atwood Suites" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
June 25, 2018

The marriage between jazz and poetry is having a true moment in the present artistic sphere. The two have long mixed and mingled, oft proving sympathetic and symbiotic in their multidirectional moves, unique cadences, and improvisational capacities. But never before has the connection been so strong and centralized. With drummer Matt Wilson's triumphant encounter with the work of Carl Sandburg, soprano saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom's exploration of Emily Dickinson's writing, saxophonist Benjamin Boone's collaboration with Philip Levine, and a handful ...

Album Review

Quinsin Nachoff: Quinsin Nachoff's Ethereal Trio

Read "Quinsin Nachoff's Ethereal Trio" reviewed by Mark Corroto

by Mark Corroto
July 19, 2017

It's interesting how modern jazz performers come to the music from very different circumstances than those of players of bygone eras. Instead of learning their craft in a bar or bagnio, they went to a conservatory to sharpen their chops. What they lack in perceived street-smarts (the outdated 1950s hipster delusion of jazzman as junkie), they make up for with a richness of talents and a knowledge of modern music. All this can be said of saxophonist Quinsin Nachoff. He ...

Album Review

Quinsin Nachoff's Ethereal Trio: Quinsin Nachoff's Ethereal Trio

Read "Quinsin Nachoff's Ethereal Trio" reviewed by Roger Farbey

by Roger Farbey
May 17, 2017

Unlike Canada-raised/New York-based reedman Quinsin Nachoff's previous recordings--Flux, Magic Numbers, Horizons Ensemble, FoMo and 5 New Dreams--this is a trio album. “Clairvoyant Jest" benefits from a buoyant head which initially propels the number, as Nachoff's improvisatory talent manifests in his soloing, a marriage of Albert Ayler's meanderings with Sonny Rollins' fluid articulacy. “Imagination Reconstruction" employs its preceding track's methodology but evinces a touch of Ornette Coleman in the trio's fluid cohesion. “Gravitas" is just that: ...

Live Review

Quinsin Nachoff's Flux at Constellation

by Hrayr Attarian
November 22, 2016

Quinsin Nachoff's Flux Quartet Constellation Chicago, IL November 16, 2016 Chicago's Constellation, the city's premier venue for innovative music, hosted composer and tenor saxophonist Quinsin Nachoff and his Flux quartet. The intense and stimulating recital, in the intimate space, captivated the small and attentive audience for close to 2 hours. The intricate Nachoff originals allowed for plenty of individual spontaneity as they served as vehicles for his band members' unique expressiveness. For instance, ...

Album Review

Quinsin Nachoff: Flux

by Glenn Astarita
October 26, 2016

Canadian-reared, New York City-based saxophonist Quinsin Nachoff summons a meeting of some very bright musical minds on this stirring quartet date. Rounded out by heralded modern era musicians, saxophonist David Binney, keyboardist Matt Mitchell and drummer Kenny Wolleson, the band erects a cunning bridge between structured and melodic thematic ventures with traditional jazz values and free-flowing improvisational overtures. Many of these works are erected with polytonal sequences and odd-metered aberrations via forceful choruses and unanticipated diversions. Moreover, the ...

Album Review

Quinsin Nachoff: Flux

by Mark Corroto
September 12, 2016

Listening to Flux by saxophonist Quinsin Nachoff, it's easy to see in your mind's eye the DNA double helix beautifully spinning in the dark space of the human cell. That's because Nachoff composes tight, complex chamber pieces, seemingly delicate in structure, but able to withstand the attack of the jazz infantry. Nachoff's training and experience writing for orchestras, chamber ensembles, plus new music, brings a depth to his jazz bona fides. Plus, working with heavyweights like Ralph Alessi, ...