“Matthew Parrish, an extraordinarily gifted bassist-composer, joins th[e] noble lineage [of jazz bassist-bandleaders] with “Circles", an inspired quartet outing featuring fellow heavy-hitters Joel Frahm on tenor, Vincent Bourgeyx on piano and Steve Hass on drums." -- David R. Adler, jazz critic
December 10, 2001, Washington, DC -- HiPNOTIC Records president Tony Haywood today announced the release of Circles, an impressive debut recording by jazz bassist Matthew Parrish. The CD presents Parrish and his music in an intimate quartet setting with three of the fiercest young lions on today's modern jazz scene: tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm, pianist Vincent Bourgeyx, and renowned jazz drummer Steve Hass.
“The timing of this release reflects our sensitivity to the masses of last-minute holiday shoppers who count one or more jazz enthusiasts among their loved ones," half-joked Haywood. “Circles is the ultimate jazz stocking-stuffer! In all seriousness," Haywood said, “This is a really beautiful CD on which Matthew shows he is a serious torchbearer for the grand tradition of jazz bassist-bandleaders that runs from Matt's idol, Ray Brown, to Paul Chambers, Charles Mingus and Ron Carter, to young greats like Christian McBride."
The critics agree. David R. Adler (All About Jazz, All Music Guide) calls Parrish “an exceptionally gifted bassist-composer" and Circles “an inspired quartet outing." Parrish, in fact, is no newcomer to the stage or studio. A young veteran of the New York and Philadelphia jazz scenes, he boasts extensive performance and recording credits that include dates with jazz luminaries Clark Terry, Marion McPartland, Etta Jones, Harry “Sweets" Edison, and Wynton Marsalis.
“Circles reveals Matthew as a complete musician," Haywood noted. “The CD showcases not only the technical skill, the extraordinary acoustic tone, and the aggressively soulful approach that have earned him in-demand status as a sideman, but also his impressive gifts as a composer, arranger and bandleader. Eight of the eleven tunes are original compositions, and two are his unique arrangements of standards: a hip hop version of the Victor Feldman/Miles Davis tune “Seven Steps to Heaven," and a Calypso-flavored rendition of the traditional “Go Tell It on the Mountain."
“Fans of Frahm, Bourgeyx and Hass may find that Circles presents some of the best recorded work by these artists to date," said Haywood. “That is a tall tribute to Matthew's talent and poise as a bandleader, composer/arranger and co-producer; there's a great mix of tunes and the musicians convey all of it with remarkable grace, sensitivity and zeal. I expect “Bee-Doe-Lot", “Twain", “Sophia" and the title track especially to enjoy a very warm reception from jazz radio audiences. And “Seven Steps" should win over jazz and hip hop heads alike; it's a great arrangement."
Inspired to pursue music by the sound of Ray Brown's basslines, Parrish started out on the trumpet before switching to the bass at age seventeen. After formal training under Kenny Barron, Larry Ridley and Caroline Davis at Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts, Parrish cut his teeth on the bandstand at Ortlieb's Jazzhaus, playing with Philly jazz icons Shirley Scott, Mickey Roker and Bobby Durham. He then toured the U.S. and Europe with trombonist Al Grey from 1997 until Grey's death in 2000.
Parrish has performed and/or recorded recently with Miri Ben-Ari, Pieces of a Dream, Ravi Coltrane, Orrin Evans, Mark Turner, Eric Lewis and The Onus, among others -- in addition to becoming a favored bass-accompanist for vocalists Miss Justine, Ruth Naomi Floyd and Linda Hopkins. Parrish now resides in Yardley, PA, with his wife Charlotte and their three young children, and is a regular presence on both the New York and Philly jazz scenes. Circles is dedicated to Parrish's cherished mentor and friend, the late, great Al Grey.
More information about Matthew Parrish and Circles, including Real Audio samples, purchasing info. and upcoming performance dates, is available at www.matthewparrish.com and www.hipnotic.com.
HiPNOTIC Records was founded in January 2000 by lawyer/writer/composer Julian Anthony (Tony) Haywood as a boutique record label dedicated to presenting ascendant jazz artist-composers to a broad listening audience. To contact HiPNOTIC Records, please send email to [email protected]
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For more information contact All About Jazz.
