Jazz Articles about Tom Rainey

About Tom Rainey

Album Review

Ivo Perelman, Nate Wooley, Matt Moran, Mark Helias, Tom Rainey: A Modicum Of The Blues

Read "A Modicum Of The Blues" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian

by Hrayr Attarian
December 16, 2025

An intrepid and groundbreaking saxophonist, Ivo Perelman excels in the company of like-minded artists. Thus, the majority of his work is either in duos or with small ensembles. The soulful A Modicum of the Blues is an entirely improvised five-movement suite featuring a quintet of long-standing collaborators. It is a masterful blend of fiery spontaneity and contemplative quietude enveloped in a cinematic ambience. “Part 1" opens with dramatic flair as the musicians alternate brief phrases interspersed with silent ...

Album Review

Nels Cline: Consentrik Quartet

Read "Consentrik Quartet" reviewed by Don Ball

by Don Ball
September 2, 2025

While Nels Cline has been playing the guitar-hero rock star for the past two decades with Wilco, he continues to release his own solo recordings under various names (including the Nels Cline 4 and the Nels Cline Singers, which, amusingly, contain no vocalists) tailored toward the avant-garde side of jazz (with the notable exception of his lush, lovely jazz orchestra Blue Note release from 2016, Lovers). His 2025 release, Consentrik Quartet, brings together some of the finest jazz musicians working ...

Album Review

Tim Berne - Tom Rainey - Gregg Belisle-Chi: Yikes Too

Read "Yikes Too" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
April 13, 2025

Tim Berne's Yikes Too marks a significant expansion of the saxophonist's artistic vision, unfolding across two discs that showcase both his compositional architecture and improvisational dexterity. Berne joins forces with drummer Tom Rainey and guitarist Gregg Belisle-Chi--a Bill Frisell protégé--to form a new trio that navigates intellectual complexity and gut-level musical communication with equal fluency. The studio sessions at Firehouse 12 yield ten compositions where Berne's characteristic dark alto tone weaves through mathematical labyrinths of sound. Standouts “Oddly ...

Album Review

Michael Attias: Quartet Music Vol I: LuMiSong & Vol II: Kardamon Fall

Read "Quartet Music Vol I: LuMiSong & Vol II: Kardamon Fall" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
April 8, 2025

Saxophonist Michaël Attias has impressed on the NYC scene for over three decades. He has recorded with Paul Motian, Anthony Braxton and Taylor Ho Bynum, while artists like Eric Revis, Anthony Coleman and Kris Davis have covered his compositions. But despite such recognition, Attias's discography undeservedly languishes in single figures. His decision to issue two volumes of quartet music, Lumisong and Kardamon Fall, available separately or together in a single package, represents the next step in his evolution ...

Album Review

Ivo Perelman Quartet: Water Music

Read "Water Music" reviewed by Alberto Bazzurro

by Alberto Bazzurro
November 1, 2024

Un free piuttosto spinto apre questo CD inciso ormai due anni or sono (novembre 2022) da un quartetto coi controfiocchi, in grado di cacciarsi a capofitto nella tenaglia dell'improvvisazione senza rete con la quasi certezza di venirne fuori brillantemente. E' quanto gli otto brani su cui la sfida si sdipana ci confermano a chiare lettere, con l'iperpresenzialismo tante volte dimostrato da Ivo Perelman (nel singolo album ma anche con l'elefantiaca, scriteriata produzione di qualche anno fa) che sa farsi invece ...

Album Review

Ingrid Laubrock / Tom Rainey: Brink

by Mark Corroto
August 28, 2024

Could there be a more intimate sound than that of Brink? The saxophone/drums recording by reedist Ingrid Laubrock and percussionist Tom Rainey is as personal as it gets between two working jazz improvisers. The reason may be that Laubrock and Rainey are not just partners in music, but also life partners. Rainey is one of the most in-demand drummers working today. He can be heard in bands led by Ivo Perelman, Tim Berne, Tony Malaby, and Fay Victor. He also ...

Album Review

Ivo Perelman Quartet: Water Music

Read "Water Music" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
August 15, 2024

New and old converge on Water Music. Tenor saxophonist Ivo Perelman showcases a quartet with longstanding partner Matthew Shipp on piano together with the fresh rhythm axis of bassist Mark Helias and drummer Tom Rainey. Although they have not played with Perelman before, they are not exactly Johnny-come-latelys. Both have achieved veteran status, not only individually, but also as a team, exemplified by Rainey having fuelled Helias' mighty Open Loose trio since its inception back in the late 1990s.