Jazz Articles about East West Quintet

East West Quintet: Vast

by Lyn Horton
September 1, 2009

Apparent in the Brooklyn-based East West Quintet's Vast is the way the music teeters between colors, tunes, dynamics, rhythms and abstractions. Varying degrees of crescendos and decrescendos transform the mixtures of melodic temperament from peaceful to anthem-like, from quickly paced to mellifluously slow. That the band members play a multiplicity of different instruments is crucial; they take turns weaving solos throughout the pieces to grow textures that have highs, lows and indisputable middle ground. Except for trumpeter Phil Rodriguez, featured ...

East West Quintet: Vast

by Glenn Astarita
June 25, 2009

Enthusiastic youth coupled with solid musicianship and strong compositions offer the winning edge by this Brooklyn, New York-based ensemble that started in 2003 as a bop unit inspired by Cannonball Adderley. Time marches on and now this quintet delves into that opaque line that teeters between jazz-rock and jazz-fusion. Recorded to two-inch tape, the band projects a massive wall of sound, especially during the driving and rhythmically forceful pieces. It's a judicious representation of the artists' distinct stylizations that casts ...

East West Quintet: The Brooklyn E.P.

by John Barron
July 30, 2007

The combination of musical integrity and youthful vigor can be a potent force of positive energy in an often down-trodden, stagnant jazz industry. The East West Quintet plays with the kind of resonating exuberance that is refreshing and hopeful. On The Brooklyn E.P., saxophonist Dylan Heaney, guitarist Simon Kafka, pianist Mike Cassedy, bassist Benjamin Campbell and drummer Jordan Perlson create an all original set of progressive, endearing jazz.

With the exception of Perlson, all the members of East West Quintet ...

East West Quintet: Unusual Customs

by AAJ Staff
September 3, 2005

The East West Quintet plays hard bop for the 21st Century, combining solid swing with smart writing, assured improvising, and a tight band sound. Unusual Customs is the group's debut CD, and it's a good one.

The East West Quintet's strongest suit is its rhythm section. Bassist Ben Campbell and drummer Matt Slocum lay down a comfortable carpet of cookin' motion and movement. Even when the improvisation flags, they keep the music churning ahead with reliable swing. Even ...