Jazz Articles about Barry Romberg

Lorne Lofsky: This Song Is New

by Friedrich Kunzmann
May 12, 2021

The liner notes to This Song is New explain how the term “old school" suits guitarist Lorne Lofsky just fine. Not in its pejorative sense, but rather in the spirit of a master of an old art, now considered to be quaint. It is indeed a fitting description for the compositions and performances that constitute the guitarist's first recording of original material in over 20 years. More a player than a composer, the former Oscar Peterson collaborator presents a strong ...

Lorne Lofsky: This Song Is New

by Jack Bowers
April 8, 2021

Over the years the guitar has earned a unique position in the annals of jazz. At times strident, ear-splitting and generally distasteful, at others one of the loveliest, most amiable and pleasing instruments in any circumstance, especially when placed in the capable hands of a master such as Canada's Lorne Lofsky. This is the guitar as it should be played, smooth and mellow but never without due diligence or an emphatic purpose in mind. The quartet date This Song Is ...

Barry Romberg's Random Access: Crab People

by AAJ Italy Staff
May 24, 2013

Barry Romberg, batterista e compositore, è un veterano della scena jazzistica canadese e dalle sue parti è una vera leggenda: ha suonato in una sessantina di produzioni, di cui in oltre una decina come leader, e ha contribuito promuovere il jazz nel suo Paese. A proprio nome ha firmato in passato alcuni progetti molto interessanti come il trio Mrc, in compagnia del violinista Hugo Marsh e del violoncellista Rufus Cappadocia, o come l'ensemble Three Sisters. Ma il lavoro più ambizioso ...

Barry Romberg's Random Access: The Gods Must Be Smiling

by Jerry D'Souza
October 17, 2010

Over the last 10 years, Random Access has seen changes in its lineup. The concept of the band came from drummer Barry Romberg, who began with home experiments in 2001. His object was to play music spontaneously and, with that idea in mind, the first incarnation of the band came into being. The seven-piece unit consisted of two guitars, trumpet, saxophone, bass, drums and percussion, though the guitars and percussion were eliminated when the group pared down to a quartet. ...

Random Access: was, shall, why, because

by Jerry D'Souza
January 16, 2010

Multi-instrumentalist Barry Romberg brings his band of fellow adventurers, Random Access, on another musical journey that is filled with generous dollops of invention, surprise and just plain old darn good music. Romberg retains his trademark sense of humor, a trait that washes into his fellow cohorts. The underlining feature, however, is the way in which they can spin ideas into compelling tales of adventure on was, shall, why, because.

Romberg uses a sextet for “Suite for the Wolfman," ...

Random Access Large Ensemble: Existential Detective

by Jerry D'Souza
July 16, 2008

Barry Romberg (drums, percussion, electric percussion, synthesizer) is constantly looking for the new and unusual. The music that he evokes, and finds a voice with through his bands, has firm construction and heady improvisation. These two attributes are integral components, as is his sense of fun which adds immeasurably to the music. The Romberg catalogue includes four CDs with Random Access, the count beginning with Random Access 3 (Romhog Records, 2004). Where his band once consisted of three members, there ...

Barry Romberg's Random Access: Big Giant Head

by Jerry D'Souza
July 29, 2007

Barry Romberg's Random Access marches on to part six of its musical journey, called Big Giant Head. With all the accolades that have greeted earlier efforts, the size of the head is not surprising.

Romberg says that this recording and the previous one, Accidental Beef, (Romhog Records, 2006), involve the most structure the band has had while keeping to the concept of an open harmonic format. This works well as each player opens up the composition to invention and brings ...