Jazz Articles about Robin Eubanks

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Bill Bruford / Tim Garland: Earthworks Underground Orchestra

by John Kelman
January 26, 2006

Although jazz has left behind its America-centricity and become a more international language, a mysterious chasm still exists between the American and UK jazz scenes. For every artist like Kenny Wheeler who has achieved American recognition, a dozen others have not. But with Earthworks Underground Orchestra, drummer Bill Bruford and woodwind multi-instrumentalist Tim Garland narrow the gap, proving that swing is more than a defined rhythm--it's a feel, with an expanding definition.

Bruford's 1980s electro-acoustic Earthworks quartet began a gradual ...

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Dave Holland Quintet: Extended Play/Live at Birdland

by AAJ Staff
September 25, 2003

This group just doesn't put out a bad record, so it's hard to look at something new without some expectations. Bassist Dave Holland has led this particular quintet for six active years and four records, the latest of which is a live double set where the tunes stretch out around 12 minutes each. One would think this wasn't the best marketing move--aren't double live sets reserved for aging rock stars?--but then again Holland has been given the nod by the ...

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The Dave Holland Big Band: What Goes Around

by Jack Bowers
November 1, 2002

I've never been overly impressed by popularity contests, and as British-bred bassist Dave Holland swept the field in this year's Down Beat magazine critics' poll, I was thoroughly prepared not to like What Goes Around by Holland's thirteen-piece big band.

Surprise! The album is far better than expected; in fact, I'd go so far as to concede that it is thoroughly absorbing, enlivened every step of the way by notably innovative charts and earnestly inspired blowing from Holland's company of ...

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Dave Holland Big Band: What Goes Around

by AAJ Staff
September 9, 2002

With a musical force like bassist Dave Holland at the helm, it's hard to imagine a group going wrong. But his new big band has a singular problem: too many players. Thirteen musicians, each more than capable, join forces on What Goes Around, which features seven tunes composed and arranged arranged by the man himself. Unfortunately this increase in scale just doesn't translate into much except redundancy. The core quintet (Potter, Eubanks, Nelson, Holland, and Kilson) has repeatedly proven its ...

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Robin Eubanks: Get 2 It

by David Adler
January 1, 2002

Robin Eubanks reconvenes his Mental Images ensemble on this wholly independent release. Playing both standard and electric trombones, Eubanks leads his players and special guests with enthusiasm and finesse. As on previous releases, he tips his hat to Wayne Shorter, this time with a beautiful “House of Jade" (with electrified intro/outro). The rest of the tracks are originals, ranging from involved full-band numbers ("Cross Currents," “Sabanna," “Indo") to an unconventional, off-the-cuff trio ("Reunion," for bone, guitar, and percussion) to varied ...

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Robin Eubanks: Get 2 It

by AAJ Staff
May 1, 2001

On his sixth CD as a leader, Robin Eubanks progresses from the distinguished history of the jazz trombone, and he moves ahead to advance its voice in a way that few other trombonists have done. With the recent passing of J.J. Johnson and Al Grey, Eubanks is taking the lessons from their own innovations and is growing with his own. While listeners have no doubt been impressed with Eubanks' recent work with Dave Holland, lurking beneath his interpretations of Prime ...

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Robin Eubanks and Mental Images: Get 2 It

by Jim Santella
May 1, 2001

Robin Eubanks' electronic trombone is something else. Horn players have been trying for decades to create a vocal-like sound on their instruments. The plunger mute helped brass players when jazz was young. The electronic saxophone and EWI have allowed reed players to play harmony and create inspiring effects; yet, neither instrument has allowed sufficiently for vocal effects. Instead, flute players achieve their vocal effects through ' well ' vocalizing. Over the years, creative artists such as Lester Bowie have experimented ...