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Jazz Articles about Gary Thomas
Orrin Evans: The Red Door
by Mike Jurkovic
A most generous craftsman, composer and bandleader, pianist Orrin Evans never fails to bring out the best of whoever he chooses to create with. The Red Door is gratefully, and gracefully, no exception to that rule. Whatever musical setting Evans chooses to practice his sinewy, r'n'b inflected post-bop in--sideman, big band, trio, quartet, duo, whatever--a sweet animation propels his music and buoys the players gathered around him. In this case the two core units feature bass legend Buster Williams, ...
read moreOrrin Evans: The Red Door
by Dave Linn
Orrin Evans released his debut album for quintet, “Justin Time," in 1996, at the age of 21. Over the next 25 years, Evans released over 20 albums in all shapes and sizes. From trio to standard ensembles to large bands and big bands, Evans' history included a ten-year stint as a member of the Mingus Big Band, leading to his formation of the Grammy-nominated Captain Black Big Band in 2009. Additionally, when pianist Ethan Iverson (who wrote the liner notes ...
read moreGeorge Colligan: Ultimatum
by C. Andrew Hovan
Unlike classical music, where so much of the performance is based on an authentic interpretation of the material, jazz has always been more about inventiveness and the musician's quest to find an original voice. Additionally, some of the most innovative artists in the genre have been known not only for their instrumental prowess, but also for great bodies of work that have substantially contributed to the jazz annals. Men like Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, and Thad Jones, to name only ...
read moreGary Thomas with the John Toomey Trio at Robin Hixon Theater
by Mark Robbins
Saxophonist Gary Thomas has been called “one the most original saxophone voices of his generation" and not only is he in high demand in jazz but has worked with some of the top rap artists and orchestras performing today. More than just a first-call sideman, Thomas has recorded 11 albums as a leader. Two of these, By Any Means Necessary and While the Gate is Open were named by Downbeat magazine as two of the best recordings of ...
read moreGary Thomas: Till We Have Faces
by John Kelman
Gary ThomasTill We Have FacesJMT1992 It was sometime in 1992 when I came across today's Rediscovery. I was walking by a record store (remember those?) in my hometown of Ottawa, Canada when I suddenly heard this staggering guitarist playing over what sounded like a standard I thought I knew but couldn't place. His tone was gritty, but his lines sounded familiar as he ran incendiary line after incendiary line, supported by an equally fiery drummer ...
read moreGeorge Colligan: Ultimatum
by AAJ Staff
While there may be some doubt about the vitality of today’s scene versus the storied scenes of the past, one point of consideration may actually live up: in this writer's estimation, the tradition of fine pianist-composer leaders in Jazz is alive and well in jazz and is in fact one of the strongest areas currently. Think Jason Moran, David Berkman, Geri Allen, James Carney, Vijay Iyer, Marc Cary and Jason Lindner. This is only a segment of what is quite ...
read moreGary Thomas: Pariah's Pariah
by Glenn Astarita
It has been 20 years since Saxophonist’s Gary Thomas and Greg Osby have performed together. On Thomas’ new CD “Pariah’s Pariah, Thomas and Osby echo the same intensity and verve that was a hallmark of their meritorious efforts with the great drummer Jack DeJohnette and his marvelous “Special Edition” band. It is fairly evident that these young master’s have honed individual and uniquely identifiable styles which to a large degree is a high honor considering the Post-Bop resurgence of today’s ...
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