Jazz Articles about Peter Paulsen

Peter Paulsen Trio: A Few Thoughts

by Karl Ackermann
December 31, 2015

Bassist and composer Peter Paulsen is not reticent in his willingness to quote the bible. He specifically cites Matthew 13: 31-32 in stating an approach to creating music rooted in observation and execution through improvisation, communication and impulsiveness. He references a line regarding the mustard seed, saying it is..."the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree...." In that vein, we have A Few Thoughts, Paulsen's trio outing ...

Peter Paulsen Sextet: Change of Scenery

by John Kelman
January 23, 2008

Building on the success of Tri-Cycle (Wahbo, 2005), Peter Paulsen expands from piano trio to multi-horn sextet. It's more ambitious, not just for the larger palette from which the bassist draws, but because, unlike Tri-Cycle's mix of originals and craftily arranged material by others, Change of Scenery consists entirely of Paulsen originals, with the exception of an innovative arrangement of Wayne Shorter's “Nefertiti" and the collectively composed/improvised “Random Width."

Drummer Joe Mullen is back and, while he didn't play on ...

Peter Paulsen Trio: Tri-Cycle

by John Kelman
January 23, 2006

One of last year's most pleasant surprises was Philadelphia-based pianist Jeff Baumeister's debut, Useful Music. Multifaceted, intelligent writing and strong group chemistry made it all the more surprising that Baumeister's quartet--which has clearly been doing its share of woodshedding--came seemingly out of nowhere. The days where an artist emerges as a leader following mentorship with established players--as was the case with Miles Davis and Art Blakey--seem to be gone, and the relatively unannounced appearance of young performers is becoming more ...

Peter Paulsen Quintet: Three-Stranded Cord

by Tony Rogers
November 13, 2002

It’s all very well to speak in abstractions about the state of the local jazz scene, but the proof, as they say, is in the playing. With talents like Ben Schachter, Tom Lawton and Bootsie Barnes keeping plenty busy in area clubs and recording studios, it’s clear that Philly and its extended environs have one of the most vibrant scenes around.

So it’s not only a pleasure but a vindication to find a recording by yet another stellar ...