Jazz Articles about Russell Schmidt

About Russell Schmidt

Multiple Reviews

Russell Schmidt Explores The Sacred & Secular In A Pair Of Musical Triptychs

by David Dupont
August 28, 2019

Arizona-based pianist and composer Russell Schmidt has a knack for releases that catch one's attention. A 2013 release Anachromysticism was a combination of a CD and a two-record vinyl set, with horn-based music as notable as the format. Schmidt returns with another high-concept issue, the two-volume Jazz Triptych. The first volume is dedicated to “the sacred," Schmidt and company's versions of hymns and other religious oriented material, and the second covers “the secular," a more mix collection including a couple ...

Album Review

Russell Schmidt: Anachromysticism

Read "Anachromysticism" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey

by C. Michael Bailey
July 18, 2013

Pianist/composer Russell Schmidt takes acoustic jazz right to the edge of where it is supposed to be. Intelligent, melodic, and harmonically grounded, Schmidt's sound is fresh and invigorating. Schmidt is a faculty member at the School of Music, University of Utah. Anachromysticism is his second recording, following 2007's Season Of Change (Orchard Records). Where Season Of Change was a trio recording of standards, Anachromysticism is ten original compositions for a dual saxophone-fronted quintet. Schmidt imagines music in ...