Jazz Articles about Tim Armacost

Tim Armacost: Time Being

by Geno Thackara
October 25, 2017

From the initial trotting bass solo smoothly segueing into a toe-tapping slice of timeless bop, Time Being's opening jaunt makes an introduction fascinatingly tricky and inviting. Those familiar with the wide-ranging saxophonist Tim Armacost, however, know he's got much more still up his sleeve--and that no matter how complicated things get, they'll stay listenable and accessible enough for any taste. The record is his first on Whirlwind Recordings, and it is indeed a whirlwind of clever ideas and rhythmic games: ...

Tim Armacost: Time Being

by Roger Farbey
March 12, 2017

Tim Armacost may not be the most well-known jazz musician on the planet but he's certainly one of the best. His early life was spent in Tokyo, and Washington, then moving to Los Angeles at the age of 18. He travelled to Amsterdam and India where, in the spirit of The Beatles and John McLaughlin he assimilated much of that country's music. Finally he moved to New York in 1993 where he made his debut recording Fire. For this debut ...

New York Standards Quartet: Unstandard

by AAJ Italy Staff
March 6, 2012

Unstandard è il secondo album del New York Standards Quartet, fondato dal sassofonista Tim Armacost nell'autunno del 2006. La formazione annovera quattro solidi ed affermati musicisti come David Berkman al piano, Yosuke Inoue al contrabbasso e Gene Jackson alla batteria. Ancora standards? Sì, e non ci stuferemo mai di ascoltarli. D'altronde è questo uno dei lati eccezionali del jazz, il continuo reinventare, riscoprire e realizzare in maniera diversa e, se possibile gradevole, un brano già straconosciuto. Il lavoro del quartetto ...

New York Standards Quartet: Unstandard

by Larry Taylor
December 12, 2011

It's a pleasure when a group of great jazz players take American standards and reshape them with their own unique stamp. This happens on New York Standards Quartet's Unstandard, where the musical gambit--the direction these musicians take the originals--is often surprising. Pianist David Berkman leads the way, handling arrangements and contributing originals, all the while taking impeccable solos. This is a joint effort, and veteran drummer Gene Jackson is invaluable, impressively powering the pace, aided by bassist Yosuke ...

Tim Armacost: Rhythm and Transformation

by Matt Merewitz
February 26, 2004

Tim Armacost talks about 'choices [he] made' that determined the path he has taken as a musician. His direction was not always self-evident and its constant evolution has taken him from the US to Japan, to the Netherlands, to India, and back to the US, where has been for the past decade.

In his home base of New York, Armacost can be seen playing regularly with critically acclaimed pianist Bruce Barth, and bassist Ugonna Okegwo. In addition he ...

Tim Armacost at Chris' Jazz Cafe

by AAJ Staff
October 25, 2003

Chris' Jazz Cafe Philadelphia, PA October 17, 2003

One of the biggests kicks in jazz is the discovery of fresh young talent, an artist you haven't heard yet, one who's saying something. I had that distinct pleasure in October when I heard tenor player Tim Armacost at Chris' Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia, and he tore it up.

Chris' is a pleasant intimate restaurant in The City of Brotherly Love that books a horn player who is ...

Tim Armacost: Brightly Dark

by Alexander M. Stern
October 7, 2003

The ghost of John Coltrane hovers over Brightly Dark. At times, Tim Armacost sounds startlingly like the late saxophonist, especially when he plays soprano, as he does on 'Afro Pentameter' and on the title track. Armacost is an extremely talented musician and an excellent composer, but he is still somewhat lacking in originality. Not that anyone can blame him for choosing to emulate Coltrane. In a scene from Woody Allen's Manhattan, Allen is told by an angry friend that he ...