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Articles | Featured | Future

CD/LP/TRACK REVIEW

Ergo: As subtle as tomorrow

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The premise for this album is based on a succinct Emily Dickenson poem, As Subtle as Tomorrow with the verse allocated to the individual track titles. Subtle is an adjective that parallels the trio's chief mode of operations. The band's muse is nestled somewhere within an existential progressive jazz format, layered with ambient-electronic treatments and hearty doses of improv. They also interlace minimalist sojourns, partly due to pianist's Sam Harris' harmonically driven ostinato phrasings. Thus, appealing melodies often serve as ...

CD/LP/TRACK REVIEW

Garzone / Bergonzi / Moses / Andersson: Splitting up in Boston

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Back in 2013, renowned saxophonists George Garzone and Jerry Bergonzi recorded an album together that came out in 2014 on the Danish label Stunt. The name of the album was Quintonic and it sounded just as one might expect; wonderful music with fiery blowing, swinging tunes, tight grooves and razor-sharp twists and turns and lyric moments of beauty. They recorded it with two Danish musicians, pianist Carl Winther and drummer Anders Mogensen, and the Finnish bassist Johnny Åman.

DVD/FILM REVIEWS

Jerry Bergonzi: Two More DVDs from the Master Educator

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There are plenty of stellar musicians who can't teach and plenty of fine educators who lack the skills or know-how to play at a top-tier level. There aren't a lot of internationally acclaimed musicians who are also viewed the world over as exceptional teachers; saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi is one of the few. Bergonzi has traveled plenty with his horn, playing his own music and backing up bigwigs across the globe, but he's made an even bigger impact ...

CATCHING UP WITH

Jerry Bergonzi: Eternal Student

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Jerry Bergonzi is regarded as one of the most important saxophonists in the world. Equally, he continues to make significant contributions in the world of jazz education. He is the author of Inside Improvisations Series (Jazzwise Publications), a manual developed in seven volumes--his eighth book is due to come out soon--that has become essential for jazz students around the world.The only element that speaks to time is his white hair, because his enthusiasm hasn't changed since recently deceased ...

CD/LP/TRACK REVIEW

Jerry Bergonzi: Shifting Gears

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Gifted tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi has proven to be among the best in the business, spanning a hefty solo career amid numerous guest spots and session duties for others. With this quintet release, the leader hearkens back to the modern jazz ingenuity and reverence of 1960s-era outings for the likes of the Blue Note and Prestige record labels. However, the musicians' respective styles impart a distinct group-centric sound, streaked with a contemporary vibe. Bergonzi and trumpeter Phil Grenadier's ...

CD/LP/TRACK REVIEW

Ergo: If Not Inertia

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A few decades ago, it wasn't evident that computers could become an integral component to music, other than some experimental persuasions set forth by the likes of eminent modern jazz trombonist George Lewis, who helped pioneer live electronics. But trombonist Brett Sroka carries the torch, yet in a different or, perhaps, more subtle light. With first-call avant-garde guitarist Mary Halvorson injecting her sinewy, odd-tuned phrasings, and acoustic guitarist Sebastian Kruger appearing on one track of If Not Inertia, the band's ...

MULTIPLE REVIEWS

Jerry Bergonzi: Two DVDs from the Master Educator

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Tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi has spent decades honing his skills and he has the discography to prove it. Strong solo dates on the RED, Double-Time and Savant labels, along with notable sideman work with legends such as pianist Dave Brubeck, have earned him the respect of his peers and the reputation of being a no-nonsense force of nature on his instrument, but his best work may take place in the classroom. Bergonzi has been codifying and passing ...

CD/LP/TRACK REVIEW

Jerry Bergonzi: Convergence

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Saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi has become one of the most reliable recording artists in jazz. In between his day job as a Berklee College of Music professor, and performing, he turns out a great album or two every year. Featuring mostly tenor horn, Convergence follows dutifully in that pattern. The album splits between a classic piano-based quartet and the more risky piano-less trio with equally good results. Bergonzi, who also overdubs soprano sax for a few tracks, has no problem carrying ...

CD/LP/TRACK REVIEW

Jerry Bergonzi: Three Point Shot

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Musicians often benefit from the stimulus provided by a interacting with a new group of cohorts. If nothing else, personnel changes can remake the creative process and offer dramatically altered results. In an art form like jazz, that leans heavily on improvisation, this can only be a good thing. It is, therefore, a pleasant surprise to hear tenor saxophonist/educator Jerry Bergonzi working with an altogether different rhythm section in Europe, consisting of two Polish musicians. Better still, this trio has ...

CD/LP/TRACK REVIEW

Ergo: Multitude, Solitude

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During the past two decades, electronic music has solidified its initial uneasy alliance with acoustic jazz. Newer releases such as Ergo's Multitude, Solitude are able to get past that original awkward balance and meld electronics with jazz improvisation and instrumental technique. The result is a trio that interacts like one but also accesses the broader sound palette and ambience that electronics allow. On most tunes, trombonist Brett Sroka remains at the music's center and in only rare ...