GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE
ILLINOIS JAZZ PROJECT DAN PETERSON February 04, 2004
Daniel Peterson
Illinois Jazz Project
Talented multi-instrumentalist Peterson delivers plenty of smooth, glass-of-
Cognac-after-a-night-of-clubbing moments on this jazz set, and hepcats of
the Playboy glory days will absolutely revel in his melodic forays and tuxedo-
sophisticate tone. Another bonus is his reverence for songs and song
structures. You can groove to these tracks as background ambience or as a
critical listener and never feel as if you’re being pulled too far out of your
comfort zone. In other words, Illinois Jazz Project is definitely produced to
caress and please, rather than challenge your sensibilities of melody,
harmony, and tone. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but Peterson
also manages to add just enough funk (harmonies, interesting melodic shifts,
some “blue” bends, etc.) to lift the album out of the realm of invisible
cocktail-bar music. The only things that truly threaten the mellow vibe-out
are his percussion parts— which tend to sound stiff and overly bright (on the
cymbal work), and are mixed way too far up front to enhance the moods of
the gentler tracks—and an occasional sharp bite and ever-so-slight stumble
in his picking. You get the feeling that would absolutely cook in the right
band, but, until that happens, Illinois Jazz Project is a real find for jazz guitar
lovers jonesing for a more traditional fix. Blue Water Records
Michael Molenda Guitar Player Magazine
Read more
GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE
ILLINOIS JAZZ PROJECT DAN PETERSON February 04, 2004
Daniel Peterson
Illinois Jazz Project
Talented multi-instrumentalist Peterson delivers plenty of smooth, glass-of-
Cognac-after-a-night-of-clubbing moments on this jazz set, and hepcats of
the Playboy glory days will absolutely revel in his melodic forays and tuxedo-
sophisticate tone. Another bonus is his reverence for songs and song
structures. You can groove to these tracks as background ambience or as a
critical listener and never feel as if you’re being pulled too far out of your
comfort zone. In other words, Illinois Jazz Project is definitely produced to
caress and please, rather than challenge your sensibilities of melody,
harmony, and tone. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but Peterson
also manages to add just enough funk (harmonies, interesting melodic shifts,
some “blue” bends, etc.) to lift the album out of the realm of invisible
cocktail-bar music. The only things that truly threaten the mellow vibe-out
are his percussion parts— which tend to sound stiff and overly bright (on the
cymbal work), and are mixed way too far up front to enhance the moods of
the gentler tracks—and an occasional sharp bite and ever-so-slight stumble
in his picking. You get the feeling that would absolutely cook in the right
band, but, until that happens, Illinois Jazz Project is a real find for jazz guitar
lovers jonesing for a more traditional fix. Blue Water Records
Michael Molenda Guitar Player Magazine
GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE
NEW LIFE SUITE DAN PETERSON November 10, 1980
"Whether he's firing off supple volleys of jazz runs or experimenting with the
avant-garde, Peterson will draw you with his impeccable taste and intense
feeling. A satisfying album.... Wonderful mood music."
Jas Obrecht Guitar Player Magazine
VINTAGE GUITAR MAGAZINE
ILLINOIS JAZZ PROJECT DAN PETERSON May 05, 2003
"To say Dan Peterson is a skilled jazz guitarist would be an understatement.
This is a very atmospheric record with Peterson playing all instruments.
....every cut creates a mood."
(He's) a wonderful player. Single line bursts, beautiful chordal work, and
octaves out of Wes' book mix work to create musical landscapes. His
"Somewhere Near Kansas City(which is the old chestnut "Kansas City" by
Lieber-Stoller) is Jazz-Blues Heaven.
"Windy" expands on Wes Montgomery's version of the Association's 60's pop
hit and his version of The Classic's IV's "Spooky" is a tour-de- force with some
nice soloing.
"You'd be hard pressed to find anyone doing their own album, playing all the
instruments and sounding this good. The multi-tracking is smooth and never
interferes with the songs. His playing is great throughout and the twenty
songs hang together beautifully. It'd be nice to hear other artists do this
occasionally and pour their hearts into it as Peterson has."
John Heidt Vintage Guitar Magazine
GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE
FORWARD VIEW DAN PETERSON March 05, 2005
GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE-March 2005 Issue
"What's In the Editor's CD Player" Column
Art Thompson, Senior Editor, Guitar Player
"Forward View-Dan Peterson"
GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE
VOICE OF THE TREES DAN PETERSON January 08, 1979
"A Joyous spirit pervading throughout...A choice guitar album."
Jas Obrecht Guitar Player Magazine
VINTAGE GUITAR MAGAZINE
FORWARD VIEW DAN PETERSON May 05, 2007
"Dan Peterson focuses on recording wonderful jazz guitar that covers a lot of
ground."
—John Heidt
VINTAGE GUITAR MAGAZINE May 2006 First Fret Article
AUDIO MAGAZINE
VOICE OF THE TREES DAN PETERSON May 14, 1979
"A marvelous display of contemporary guitar playing at its most varied and
intricately arranged...a guitar Virtuoso."
Tom Bingham Audio Magazine
OP MAGAZINE
NEW LIFE SUITE DAN PETERSON March 01, 1984
"Complex, yet the themes are so fluid, melodically tasty, and are played with
such skill, flair and spontaneity, they don't sound the least bit difficult or
contrived. Peterson's musical personality insures their originality and quality."
Tom Bingham OP Magazine
JAZZ IMPROV MAGAZINE
ILLINOIS JAZZ PROJECT DAN PETERSON April 05, 2004
"A Vibrant, Experienced guitarist whose sound evidences the influence of Wes
Montgomery and George Benson"
Jazz Improv Magazine
MONITOR MAGAZINE
THE BLUE SEASON DAN PETERSON June 18, 2000
"Despite great reviews that praised his style, dexterity and compositions, Dan
Peterson actually walked away from music for almost a decade due to
frustration with the direction commercial music had taken. Now he's back with
a new energy and a new CD filled with red hot swing blues, jazz, and rock
tunes. Anyone who loves good music and appreciates talented musicians
should be grateful for his return. Peterson's new release features the same
outstanding skill and taste that brought him critical acclaim for his earlier
work....A promising and uncompromising artist whose music is filled with jazz
and blues roots but is unquestionably original."
Monitor Magazine
ROLAND US MAGAZINE
THE BLUE SEASON DAN PETERSON April 05, 2004
"His music demonstrates the artistry and tradition of a man who knows his
instrument, but still maintains a fresh, youthful exuberance. It's clear that
artistic pride and integrity are important to this jazz man. His determination
and eagerness to explore are reflected in each record that Peterson produces.
Roland US
GUITAR DIGEST
ILLINOIS JAZZ PROJECT DAN PETERSON June 18, 2004
When Daniel Peterson's CD "Illinois Jazz Project" arrived at my office I was
eager to pop it into my CD player and have a listen. I had heard a few cuts
from the CD via the web and genuinely enjoyed what I heard. Now...let me
clarify that I'm not a jazz cat in any way shape or form. As much as I've tried
to become cognizant of jazz I simply have been unable to appreciate much of
the wandering, meandering notes of say a pure jazz combo. To my
unsophisticated ear it often sounds like three guys playing three unrelated
songs. However with that being said, being a guitar player I have great respect
and admiration for those players who have the musical savvy to integrate
various types and styles into their music. I personally steal snippets of basic
jazz licks and chord voicings and use them in my own original compositions
with regularity. Those jazzy touches of class not only make my songs sound
better but they make me feel like a better player than I probably am.
Daniel Peterson doesn't have any problem convincing his listener that he's
got the chops to jazz it up with the best of them. His playing has that savvy
and sophistication that's easy to appreciate. It also doesn't hurt that the guy is
genuinely musical. To even the uninitiated it's clear he's got a mastery of his
instrument and his style of jazz is moving, classy, and in my opinion far
removed from that pretentious style that I fail to comprehend. I understand
Dan's music; I like how it makes me feel. He's an honest player who let's the
notes flow from his fingertips. He knows how to milk a chord for all it's worth
and while many a guitarist strives for machinegun-type speed in runs and
scales, Dan let's his tone and emotion fill his notes and phrasing. Dan let's his
electric guitar drip with sound and you can tell he's trying to squeeze every
drop of resonance with each pluck, strum, pick or tap of the strings. For
someone who want's to get a quality taste of jazz but doesn't want to have to
contend with the confusing depths often associated with the genre, "Illinois
Jazz Project" is a perfect choice. The tracks are mostly soothing tunes and
they demonstrate the cool sophistication that jazz licks and chords add to a
melody. Classic cover tunes such as "Spooky" and "Windy" don't escape Dan's
creative and cool spin. To his credit he retains the original feel of both of
these tune yet has found a subtle method to make them his own through his
tasteful playing. Overall I dig this CD, "Illinois Jazz Project" is a relaxing,
wondeful CD to listen to. I did feel that some of the digital percussion
sounded a bit stiff and I also was of the opinion that some of the tunes ended
abruptly... but that might just be a jazz thing!! Small criticisms indeed for a
CD featuring 20 tracks and all the instrumentation is played by one guy. In
addition it's all instrumental so no annoying vocals to interfere with the
guitar. Yeah.....I enjoyed this CD and Dan Peterson should be grinning on the
cover because fresh sounding quality music like his isn't that easy to find."
Chris Armold Guitar Digest
ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER
ILLINOIS JAZZ PROJECT DAN PETERSON July 21, 2004
"Even if you don't consider yourself a jazz fan, Daniel Peterson's Illinois Jazz
Project has something for anyone who appreciates good musicianship.
Peterson plays all the instruments on the record, impressive enough once you
hear the layers of tracks piled on each song, but it's the guitar playing that
really sets him apart. Make sure you check out "Go (Go Irish)," where Peterson
ditches the jazz and lets it rip with some hard rock licks."
Trevor Fisher Illinois Entertainer Magazine
ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER MAGAZINE
FORWARD VIEW DAN PETERSON September 18, 2005
"It would be rather sly if there were actually two Dan Petersons playing on
Forward View, the axe-grinding is that sick. With a mish-mash of standards
("My Favorite Things") and Xmas songs (""Drummer Boy") fashioned for bop
guitar, it would appear that Peterson's fingers know no fear. Personal taste
will dictate whether you need 75 minutes of his fluid strokes — motion
sickness begins establishing itself — but the guitarist is otherwise restrained
in providing such a wonderful view."
Steve Forstneger Illinois Entertainer Magazine
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