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Abbey Rader and John McMinn: Two As One
by Hrayr Attarian
Drummer Abbey Rader and saxophonist & pianist John McMinn have forged a seamless camaraderie and sublime creative synergy over the course of 30-plus years. In March of 2020, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, they were obliged to stop performing together. Sixteen months later they reunited in Miami for a poignant and moving set of entirely improvised music which Rader released under the title Two As One. From the start, the duo sets a distinctly ethereal mood which permeates ...
read moreAbbey Radar and John McMinn: Duo from the Heart
by Hrayr Attarian
Drummer Abbey Rader is a nuanced and expressive percussionist and an adventurous and introspective improviser. His body of work of over two dozen releases is, perhaps, one of the most mystical on today's creative music scene. The sublime Duo from the Heart is one of his more intimate recordings pairing him with long time collaborator pianist and saxophonist John McMinn. Recorded in McMinn's home, the seven spontaneous performances that comprise the album range from fiery and raw to ...
read moreAbbey Rader West Coast Quartet: Second Gathering
by Hrayr Attarian
Drummer Abbey Rader is a consummate improviser and an innovative bandleader. His intrepid creativity evolves and transforms with each recording. The 2018 Second Gathering is no exception. On it Rader leads his West Coast Quartet on five spontaneously composed multilayered tracks that bear his indelible mark of cerebral spirituality. The ambience of “Uncovering the Jewel in the Lotus" is that of an eastern Zen serenity. Bassist Kyle Motl's reverberating strums and Rader's rustling percussion build an angular rhythmic ...
read moreAbbey Rader and John McMinn: Phenobarbital Sessions
by Hrayr Attarian
Improvised soundtracks in motion pictures have a venerable tradition. Perhaps the best known among them remains trumpeter Miles Davis' Ascenceur Pour L'Echafaut (Fontana, 1958). Film director Jorge Rubiera, who had made a documentary on the intrepid drummer Abbey Rader, approached him for a score for his project “Phenobarbital." Rader together with longtime collaborator saxophonist John McMinn spontaneously created music for Rubiera. The resulting Phenobarbital Sessions is as unique and as dramatic as the artistic visions of all involved.The ...
read moreAbbey Rader: Ritual
by Hrayr Attarian
The stimulating Ritual is an energetic and intricate improvised session that drummer Abbey Rader lead on the 27th January of 2016. Although this absorbing music is free flowing and created on the spot it has a definite, fluid structure to it. The primary reason for this is the shared musical vision among Rader and his side men, bassist Kyle Motl and tenor saxophonist Drew Ceccato, both long term collaborators. The melancholic and expectant title track, for instance, has ...
read moreAbbey Rader's West Coast Quartet: First Gathering
by John Sharpe
Veteran drummer Abbey Rader's foray to California adds a further chapter to the welcome renaissance of reedman Peter Kuhn. Both men were part of the New York loft jazz scene in the 1970s, but while Kuhn eventually dropped from view in the early '80s, Rader persisted, first moving to Europe, but later returning to Florida where he recorded with saxophonist Dave Liebman, and then spent five years with violinist Billy Bang. Now into his seventies, Rader continues to helm freewheeling ...
read moreAbbey Rader Quartet with Kidd Jordan: Reunion
by John Sharpe
Drummer Abbey Rader first encountered celebrated reedman Kidd Jordan when he was touring with Billy Bang and Frank Lowe back in 2000, as a member of the outfit featured on One For Jazz (No More Records, 2001). Jordan sat in, and the ensuing mix was successful enough for Rader to intend a follow up. That didn't happen until 2012, when Jordan connected with the drummer's regular band in the Miami date documented here. As with Rader's First Gathering (Abray Productions, ...
read moreAbbey Rader Quartet with Kidd Jordan: Reunion
by Hrayr Attarian
Intrepid drummer Abbey Rader's second release in 2016, Reunion documents a stimulating live session at the, now sadly defunct, Performing Arts Exchange (PAX) in Miami. Iconoclastic jazzman and legendary saxophonist Kidd Jordan joins Rader and his quartet for this exhilarating improvisational set captured at the above mentioned venue on Halloween night of 2012. The inspired and inspirational music has a definite spiritual edge to it. For instance, on “Talkin,' Burnin,' Prayin,'" Jordan lets loose airy, fluttering lines that, ...
read morePeter Ponzol and Abbey Rader: It's Time
by Hrayr Attarian
Reedman Peter Ponzol not only designs and makes unique mouthpieces for various saxophones he is also an imaginative improviser with a singular style. He and intrepid drummer Abbey Rader have a long history of collaboration spanning over four decades. On their 2016 It's Time they perform 11 intimate, original duets that are full of sublime mysticism and showcase individual virtuosity and seamless camaraderie.Rader masterfully blends sparse chimes and reverberating cymbals with silent pauses as he sets a Zen ...
read moreAbbey Rader's West Coast Quartet: First Gathering
by Hrayr Attarian
With the provocative First Gathering, drummer Abbey Rader unveils an intriguingly new musical approach. Over the past decade or so Rader has consistently utilized two woodwinds on his recordings with saxophonists John McMinn and Noah Brandmark filling those roles on his last three sessions. Rader's current West Coast Quartet features reedmen Peter Kuhn and Drew Ceccato whose style is more expansive, rarified than McMinn and Brandmark's earthier, denser sound yet equally adventurous. The record is organized in a ...
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