Jazz Articles about The Fonda/Stevens Group

The Fonda/Stevens Group: Parallel Lines

by AAJ Staff
December 1, 2000

The Fonda/Stevens Group serves up a characteristically ambivalent sound on the 1997 studio record Parallel Lines. On one hand, the quintet deftly handles structured straight-ahead material; but on the other, it yields at the slightest opportunity to collective improvisation. Bassist Joe Fonda stands at the crux of the group--interacting with drummer Harvey Sorgen in a potently rhythmic role (check out their duo performance midway through the tune “Waltz"), as well as interdigitating with pianist Michael Stevens in a strikingly intuitive ...

The Fonda-Stevens Group: Live At The Bunker

by Glenn Astarita
December 1, 2000

“The Fonda-Stevens Group” is arguably one of the finest and hardest working modern jazz outfits in the business. And while “Leo Records” is synonymous with producing improvised, free – jazz and music that is largely unclassifiable, the label generally skirts the bleeding edge of what some refer to as – new music. Therefore, this quartet’s new recording titled, Live At The Bunker marks a slight yet welcome shift in strategy for this legendary UK-based label.

The quartet opens this set ...

The Fonda-Stevens Group: Evolution

by Robert Spencer
January 1, 1999

Reviewing can be difficult: there are an awful lot of discs out there that sound like all the rest. This ain't one of them. Evolution confirms that the Fonda-Stevens Group is one of the best-kept secrets in jazz. This fourth release from the quintet is one of the best showcases to date for five of the most exciting instrumentalists currently playing. In an age when most of the best-known exponents of the genre have gone into the lick-recycling business, bassist ...