Jazz Articles about Tom Harrell

Tom Harrell: Roman Nights

by Robert Dugan
April 18, 2010

Since signing with the HighNote label in 2006, Tom Harrell has released the most significant CDs in his three decades-plus of recording. It's no coincidence that, for this same period, he has been leading a true dream band of younger players. His previous output for RCA was of the highest quality, particularly Paradise (2001), a unique date with strings, and the exemplary Live At The Village Vanguard (2002). Lately, Harrell sounds more intensely engaged than ever, and thoroughly enjoying the ...

Tom Harrell: Roman Nights

by John Kelman
April 13, 2010

Since coming back from hiatus following the superb Wise Children (Bluebird, 2003), Tom Harrell's been on a roll. On a new label (HighNote) and with a new working quartet, the trumpeter has gone from success to success, from the undeniably fine Light On (2007), to the even better Prana Dance (2009). Whether Roman Dances is even better still is a tough call; Harrell's writing and quintet are so uniformly excellent that comparisons--empirical or otherwise--are rendered moot.

Tom Harrell Quintet at Dazzle Nightclub in Denver

by Geoff Anderson
February 19, 2010

Tom Harrell Quintet Dazzle Nightclub Denver, CO February 11, 2010 (First Set)

My wife arrived early for the show, before me. Most of the nearly sold out crowd had yet to arrive. The maître'd offered her a table in the front. She declined stating, “No thanks, since this is a trumpet player, I'd like to sit further back." She needn't have worried. There was little that was shrill or piercing about Tom Harrell's ...

Tom Harrell: Prana Dance

by AAJ Italy Staff
September 14, 2009

Lirismo e potenza dinamica del beat: sono due antitetiche visioni del fare musica, incredibilmente giustapposti in questo meraviglioso disco. Pubblicato a pochi mesi di distanza da Light On, Prana Dance ne dilata lo straniamento sonoro tra il mood malinconico del leader e funkeggianti arzigogoli ricchi di groove. Quelle di Harrell sono composizioni cantabili di poche ma geniali pennellate, tratteggiate da un quintetto stratosferico, forse il miglior gruppo jazz di oggi. Provate ad ascoltare a caso uno degli otto temi e ...

Tom Harrell: Prana Dance

by David Adler
May 17, 2009

Following up his 2007 effort Light On (HighNote), trumpeter Tom Harrell continues to document his original compositional voice and uncommonly tight working band with Prana Dance. Again there's the youthful, hungry lineup of tenor saxophonist Wayne Escoffery, pianist Danny Grissett and drummer Johnathan Blake, with long-serving Harrell stalwart Ugonna Okegwo digging in on bass. The material is all original, all new, teeming with harmonic secrets and an uncanny marriage of the simple and complex, not to mention ample possibilities for ...

Tom Harrell: Boundless Beauty

by Laurel Gross
May 1, 2009

Tom Harrell is an exceptional musician, known for his exquisite playing on trumpet and flugelhorn as well as for the many lyrical melodies, expressive harmonies and undeniably beautiful music he has composed for some 40 years and, happily, counting. Many famous colleagues, orchestras and big bands have recorded his original compositions and arrangements and among jazz aficionados, Harrell's history is as well known as his gifts. He has distinguished himself as a performer with many renowned groups and legendary artists ...

Tom Harrell: Prana Dance

by Jack Bowers
April 14, 2009

Trumpeter Tom Harrell, always wandering, forever searching for some fresh musical pathway, embarks on another special voyage with Prana Dance, a series of expressive tone poems whose outward simplicity belies their inner depth and power.

As he has in the past, Harrell layers his eight plain-spoken compositions with spiritual undertones, none of which detracts from his improvisational purpose or that of his comrades in his quintet. Harrell has always been an uncompromising melodicist, which is readily apparent on each of ...