Tom Rainey

Nels Cline: Consentrik Quartet

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 ...

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

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 ...

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

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 ...

Ivo Perelman Quartet: Water Music

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 ...

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 ...

Ivo Perelman Quartet: Water Music

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.

Lucian Ban, Mat Maneri: Oedipe Redux

by Neri Pollastri
August 5, 2024

Pur se da venticinque anni residente negli U.S.A., il pianista Lucian Ban non ha mai smesso di coltivare le sue radici rumene, che spesso anzi caratterizzano sottilmente la sua prolifica produzione artistica. In particolare, assieme al violista Mat Maneri --con il quale collabora assai spesso, contribuendo recentemente al suo album Ash --ha più volte proposto apprezzati lavori ispirati alla tradizione popolare rumena (Transilvanian Dance (ECM 2013), Transilvanian Folk Songs (Sunnyside 2020), mentre già nel 2010 aveva presentato sempre per Sunnyside ...

Tom Rainey Trio - Pool School (Clean Feed)

Source: Master of a Small House
June 16, 2010

A much-belated case of “giving the drummer some", Tom Rainey's debut as a leader is long-overdue formal recognition of his substantial talents. Leave it to the relentlessly prolific Clean Feed label to recognize and rectify the lapse. Rainey's appeared on a number of the imprint's releases over the years and his gig docket remains reliably full via projects with Tim Berne and a host of others. Typical to form and true to the press blurb on the CF website, this ...
read more

Ingrid Laubrock & Tom Rainey Live in the Bay Area

Source: All About Jazz
August 29, 2008

Saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and drummer Tom Rainey play two duo gigs in the Bay area during the first week of September, 2008--at the 21 Grand, Oakland on 3 September and the Java Lounge, Sacramento on 4 September.

German-born, London-based Laubrock and Rainey are two thirds of the trio who have recorded Sleepthief (Intakt, 2008), which is to be released on 8 September (and will be reviewed on AAJ on 1 September).

Word is that Sleepthief is a paradigm-shifting set on ...
read more

FAUX FAUX with Baikida Carroll, Tim Berne, Tom Rainey and Michael Formanek at The Cinema in Philadelphia, July 30

Source: All About Jazz
July 25, 2006

Ars Nova Workshop presents: Sunday, July 30 | 8pm FAUX FAUX with Baikida Carroll, trumpet; Tim Berne, alto saxophone; Tom Rainey, drums; Michael Formanek, double-bass The Cinema, 3925 Walnut Street | $12 General Admission Based in St. Louis, trumpeter/composer Baikida Carroll became a major figure in the Black Artists Group (BAG) in the 1970's. He appeared as featured soloist on Julius Hemphill's first two albums, “Dogon AD" and “Coon Bid'ness", on Oliver Lake's first album, “NTU," ...
read more

Brian Allen Trio with Tony Malaby and Tom Rainey Southwest Tour

Source: All About Jazz
March 20, 2006

Brian Allen Synapse Trio with Tony Malaby and Tom Rainey Southwest Tour

Celebrating the release of the new CD Synapse Brian Allen (trombone) Tony Malaby (saxophones) Tom Rainey (drums)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22 Spring High School, Spring, TX Noontime clinic/concert

Lake Jackson Intermediate School, Lake Jackson, TX 3:45-4:45 instrumental clinics $10 a student - all levels welcome! 7:30 CD release concert $5 adults/$3 students (free ...
read more