John Abercrombie Music

Marvin Stamm can always be counted on to introduce his audiences to new material, and this album is no exception. This 2003 appearance at New York's Birdland includes eight original tunes, six of them written by members of the group. They may not be jazz standards, but upon hearing them you'll feel that they should be.
There's something about a live performance in front of a jazz-savvy audience that brings out the best in the players, both individually and as a group. Stamm, on trumpet and flugelhorn, is on fire throughout the album, stylistically and technically. Of course, it helps a lot to have a good rhythm section, and this one - Bill Mays on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Ed Soph on drums - couldn't be better.
Mays is dazzling, as always. I wish I could imagine what's going on in his head that produces the inventive things he does in both his solos and his comping.
Reid sets the standard for how a bass player should interact with the rest of the group, and demonstrates how melodic the stand-up bass can be. Check out his solos in "Svensson," "Two As One," and "The Meddler."
Soph's drumming is an ideal combination of taste and skill. His style undoubtedly had a number of influences that I can't pinpoint exactly, but I'll guess that a prominent one was Joe Morello of Brubeck Quartet fame.
John Abercrombie makes some nice contributions on guitar on four of the tracks.
It's refreshing to know that you don't have to go back 30 years or more to find jazz that's both inspired and inspiring. Looking for some great jazz that's 21st century vintage? This is it.

I just bought this and have since watched it twice. I enjoy it alot; the compositions are wonferful, the playing is effortless and the advice is wise. However, i have only two problems with it; During the q/a sessions, there is some movement in the cameras, and second, i think the sax was mixed a touch high and the upright bass was way low. I know it was mixed quite well in relation to the natural acoustic sound, however, i can't stand having to struggle to hear a part in a quartet when its as fundamental as the bass. Just two negatives in a sea of positives i took from this video. A great buy for the jazz student/lover.

Wow! Once I had collected this DVD from the post office, I rushed home to give it a listen. I felt like I was in the front row (pound seat) from the very first note from the Band. I could not single out anyone who stood out but the band performed as a perfect unit - in sheer unison! I recommend this DVD to anyone who wishes to spend his hard-earned cash on quality. Long live the Band. I cannot wait for a sequel to this wonderfully composed music.

This is a great concert, but honestly, I'm almost sorry to say this, I found the spoken comments by each musician more interesting than the music. Now, I well may go BACK and listen to the music a little more. And of course, YOU might enjoy the music more than the speeches. I'm just telling you I REALLY liked hearing these musicians talk about playing music. Then again, I usually do enjoy hearing serious, yet fun-hearted musicians talk. To me, they have a special way of talking that is great!

What a great fun to watch 4 jazz masters on the same stage. I almost avoid this DVD when read "a concert-clinic" line on DVD title but then I think that I shouldn't waste the chance to see this one since "real" jazz DVD is hard to find.

All the tracks are excellent and so the musicians. You can see John Patitucci (from Chick Corea's Elektric Band) doing solo both acoustic and electric bass, Peter Erskine (Weather Report and Yellowjackets) doing flawless drums solo, Bob Mintzer on sax (Yellowjackets) and John Abercrombie on guitar.

If you're a musician there's a valuable lessons you will get when you listen to the musicians' talking/teaching/philosophy and also the "Q&A" section. Since this is a DVD, you can skip those tracks if you just want to hear the music.

A recommended DVD for hardcore jazz fans.

If you want to see four of the absolute best players working today playing an inspired set than this is for you. Start to finish it's a non-stop display of technique (not for technique's sake however), musicality, and mastery. Awe-inspiring. Peter Erskine's performance is so good it's comedic. Great sound, great camera angles, great editing. Top-notch. The clinic-type setting is cool because you get to hear these guys talk about their approach to music but it's kind of painful and embarrasing to listen to some of the people in the audience ask questions with obvious answers. If you are a working musician and you haven't seen this, check it out and prepare to consider giving up.

I can highly reccomend this DVD one it is good entertainment from 4 highly pro musicians great modern music but also as an educational aid as each musician give their insight as to how and why they do what they do so for players of Sax,Drums,Bass/Bass guitar & Guitar it is an window to look how to get things done musically when playing with others but also the entertainment factor.

This is one of my favourite records of all time & the opener "Etherreggae" one of my favourite tracks of all time. This album also marks (I believe) only Abercrombie's second experimentation with an organ largely replacing other keyboards (the first being "Timeless" in 1974) & personally I think the results are inspired (& certainly induced Abercrombie to repeat the "experiment" on two future albums, with Dan Wall stepping in for Jan Hammer). The other musicians on this disc are Mike Brecker (ts) & Jack de Johnette (d).
Take the aforesaid opener - beginning with a great 6-time repeated augmented B Minor chord with reverb by Abercrombie this track develops into a wonderfully slow reggae rhythm in major scale(s) with overdubbed guitar, a nice Brecker saxophone solo in the middle & a wonderful, uplifting closing electric guitar solo (joined in a wonderful burning conclusion by Brecker) featured. The second track "Night" encapsulates the mood of a reflective late evening at home alone perfectly & features brilliant soulful sax from Brecker plus nice acoustic piano from Hammer. Finally on Track 3 (Three East") Hammer's organ gets a decent workout but again, despite more great guitar work from Abercrombie, it's Brecker who steals the piece - ditto on "Look Around" which also features brilliant work from de Johnette (hitherto a tad understated).
Throughout the album the organ on this track plays mainly an underlying supporting role & really sets a largely reflective & occasionally melancholic tone (although the pace noticeably picks up on the last two tracks). The album also displays Abercrombie's versatility & willingness to experiment as well as what a brilliant saxophonist Brecker was. Enjoy!!

Everyone is on fire on this CD. This is one of my favorite Jack DeJohnette recordings along with "Timeless" in this period of ECM. Great great combination of DeJohnette/Abercrombie/Brecker and Jan Hammer.
May sound dated to some ears, but there are beautiful compsitions and the playing is amazing!

definitely this is a record about the jamming! Abercrombie and Brecker's soloing really highlight this one, and I would have probably gave only three stars, but Abercrombie and Brecker do really heat things up at times.

I like the compositions, the heads really just serve as launching pads for all the great blowing. The overall album might have benefitted from a more thoughtful conception, but in the end it's still well played and jammed out.

Hammer and DeJohnette provide some fine support.

Shawn

On the front cover is a completely uncharacteristic turn for an ECM cover, reflecting this album's exciting and gritty urban grooves. On the back shows pristine skyscrapers in the night. The point is, this album is city music, and a good bunch of it.

Abercrombie rocks through these pieces with urgency and curiosity, while Jan Hammer, Mr. Miami Vice/Mahavishnu, adds to the urban excitement with his organs and keyboards, as does Brecker with his characteristically emotional tenor work. DeJohnette is a relentless tour de force, and supports the cast well. Abercrombie's compositions (and one of Hammer's) are excellent impressionistic representations of bustling life/unsettling peace of the city at night, but you can just consider this album a good jam. It may be sloppy at places, but you know they are into it, keeping it real, and that's good enough... and play this while driving downtown at midnight and you'll see why I gave this 5 stars.