Jazz Articles

Stephan Crump: Rocket Love

by Troy Dostert
April 8, 2022

One of the most versatile bassists of his generation, Stephan Crump has proven repeatedly that he can do pretty much anything on his instrument. He can lock down some ferocious grooves with Vijay Iyer as a part of the pianist's trio on Accelerando (ACT, 2012) and Break Stuff (ECM, 2015). But he's no stranger to free improvisation either, most notably as a member of the supremely empathetic Borderlands Trio with Kris Davis and Eric McPherson; their double-CD release, Wandersphere (Intakt) ...

Stephan Crump's Rosetta Trio: Outliers

by Troy Dostert
June 10, 2019

Truly one of the most versatile of today's in-demand bassists, Stephan Crump has proven himself equally adept in a variety of musical contexts. Not only is he Vijay Iyer's longtime associate in both his trio and sextet formations, but he also finds time to pursue free improvisation with Ingrid Laubrock and Cory Smythe; that trio's Planktonic Finales (Intakt) was one of 2017's highlights. And he's always remained open to working with musicians in the worlds of R&B and alt-rock, with ...

Stephan Crump: Stephan Crump's Rhombal

by Mark Corroto
October 15, 2016

Often times, a jazz performance without a chordal instrument, a guitar or piano, is considered to be flying without a net. Exciting, but often without aim. It routinely relies on just one powerful figure to command the proceedings. That is, unless the ensemble is configured under egalitarian principles. Equal contribution and respect for the differing voices removes that fear of flying without the safety of a chordal net. If I can paraphrase Abraham Lincoln for you now, “a jazz quartet ...

Stephan Crump: Stephan Crump's Rhombal

by Glenn Astarita
September 20, 2016

During the advent of bop and the hot n' heavy mainstream swing years, a session with a stellar lineup of critically acclaimed musicians would often be referred to as the [insert magazine name] Critics' Poll All-Stars or something like John Doe and his Jazz All-Stars. However, venerable bassist Stephan Crump underscores the premise of this album as a “commemoration" that is not about sadness but the “spiritual revolution I witnessed in my brother during our last days together." But the ...

Stephan Crump: Rosetta

by Donald Elfman
March 9, 2007

Here is a string ensemble for the new century! Bassist Stephan Crump is known for his association with pianist Vijay Iyer; he has taken some of the personal and novel qualities of that collaboration and somehow found a striking new way to express powerful feelings about what it is to create music--and, further, what it is to be alive in these times. The original fragments out of which these more full and deep creations were formed emerged in the period ...

Stephan Crump: Rosetta

by Michael P. Gladstone
November 15, 2006

Rosetta represents a meeting of three friends playing compositions by bassist/leader Stephan Crump in a living room-type setting. The trio consists of Crump, acoustic guitarist Liberty Ellman and electric guitarist Jamie Fox. Crump reports that the actual recording session was really no different from many such musical meetings of this trio, albeit more focused and a bit more formal in terms of working with a specific itinerary of tunes.

Crump leads a rather eclectic musical life. He is ...

Stephan Crump: Rosetta

by Mark F. Turner
November 2, 2006

Listening to Rosetta is like inviting three musicians into your personal space for a private concert. The intimacy, spontaneity and sound of the record draw you directly into the music. Stephan Crump, who has brought his bass bravado to a number of releases with emerging artists like pianist Vijay Iyer, has created what appears to be on the surface just an uncomplicated guitar trio recording. But careful listeners will hear what lies underneath: deceivingly complex, stimulating and meticulously executed music. ...

Stephan Crump: Rosetta

by John Kelman
October 23, 2006

Some albums convey an intimacy that feels as though you're sitting in a living room, listening to an informal get-together of a group of musical friends. In the case of bassist Stephan Crump and Rosetta, that's more than a feeling, it's exactly what happened. At the end of January, 2005 Crump got together with guitarists Liberty Ellman and Jamie Fox at his home to record a set of compositions which demonstrate depth, breadth and an understated but unequivocal chemistry.

Crump's ...