Jazz Articles about Ted Piltzecker

Ted Piltzecker: Vibes on a Breath

by Jack Bowers
September 22, 2023

Even though Ted Piltzecker is a splendid vibraphonist and ushers a group of Colorado's leading jazz musicians through its paces on Vibes on a Breath, it is his sparkling arrangements that carry the day on this delightful new album. Several members of Piltzecker's septet double, and he makes the most of that versatility, writing charts that bring to the fore John Gunther's bass clarinet, Wil Swindler's baritone sax and (on the closing number) Judith Leclair's bassoon and Javier Diaz's percussion. ...

Dave Askren/Jeff Benedict: Denver Sessions

by Jack Bowers
June 15, 2023

There are times when a little extra effort goes a long way. To record the Denver Sessions, guitarist Dave Askren and saxophonist Jeff Benedict flew from the Los Angeles area, vibraphonist Ted Piltzecker from New York City to team with the Mile High city's Patrick McDevitt (bass) and Paul Romaine (drums) for Askren and Benedict's twelfth album together and fourth as co-leaders. Was it worth the trip? In one listener's opinion, first-class tickets, no matter the price, would be cheap ...

Dave Askren / Jeff Benedict: Denver Sessions

by Edward Blanco
June 3, 2023

Los Angeles-based guitarist Dave Askren and saxophonist Jeff Benedict collaborate on their fourth album as co-leaders on the Denver Sessions, an exquisite ten-piece set of primarily original music recorded in Denver, Colorado. The leaders have been playing together for around thirty years in the LA area but, for some time, had wanted to perform with New York-based vibraphonist Ted Piltzecker and decided to make it happen with the help of drummer Paul Romaine who encouraged the move to Denver for ...

Ted Piltzecker: Steppe Forward

by AAJ Italy Staff
June 21, 2011

In compagnia di giovani di belle speranze, Ted Piltzecker mette insieme un disco con sue composizioni che è un bel biglietto da visita. Neanche quaranta minuti, comunque ben concentrati, per quello che è stato il vibrafonista negli ultimi gruppi del compianto pianista George Shearing. Steppe Forward è un lavoro registrato con la tecnica della sovraincisione. Il leader è infatti presente anche al pianoforte e alle percussioni. In scaletta troviamo composizioni originali del leader (tranne “Nica's Dream" di Horace Silver). Il ...

Ted Piltzecker: Steppe Forward

by Bruce Lindsay
September 6, 2010

From the opening notes of “Steppe Forward" itself, Ted Piltzecker and his sextet give a clear statement of intent: Steppe Forward is going to be an upbeat, joyous and uplifting album, from beginning to end. As the closing bars of “Reunion Blues" fade away, it's clear that the band has achieved this intention, with a lively, inventive and engaging set of tunes and some exceptional playing. A former member of pianist George Shearing's Quintet, Piltzecker leads a ...

Ted Piltzecker: Standing Alone

by Craig W. Hurst
February 1, 2002

After listening multiple times to Ted Piltzecker’s newest release Standing Alone, a listener may easily conclude that this CD should be required listening for any aspiring vibraphonist. While Piltzecker’s work should not relegated to merely a pedagogical model of technique, it would however, be impossible to overlook the incredible sound Piltzecker draws from his instrument, his dynamic rhythmic sense and impeccably consistent time—certainly qualities worth modeling.

When first confronting Standing Alone which consists of Piltzecker performing thirteen tried ...

Ted Piltzecker: Standing Alone

by Mark Corroto
December 1, 2001

Like solo piano sessions, solo vibraphone recordings are extremely personal, solitary events. They tend to relate to their listeners on an individual basis. Vibes-man Ted Piltzecker a member of George Shearing’s quintet releases this solo session as a follow up to his 1996 excellent quintet date Unicycle Man with Bob Mintzer, James Williams and Harvie Swartz.

By choosing mostly jazz standards, Piltzecker begins halfway inside the listeners comfort zone. He takes you the rest of the way by his quiet ...