Home » Jazz News » Performance / Tour

112

Paul Nash Jazz Cycles Tonight Wednesday, January 23rd at the Iridium Jazz Club Sets at 8:30 & 10:30PM

Source:

Sign in to view read count
Paul Nash
Paul Nash Jazz Cycles
Wednesday, January 23rd

At
IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB
1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st)
NEW YORK, NY 10023
RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121
Sets At 8:30 & 10:30PM

Featuring
Kenny Rampton (trumpet)
Bruce Williamson (soprano & alto sax)
Tim Ries (tenor sax)
Mick Rossi (piano)
Vic Juris (guitar)
Jeff Carney (bass)
Grisha Alexiev (drums)
$25.00

What The Press Is Saying About Jazz Cycles...

Paul Nash, the cat that gave breaks to Mark Isham, Tim Reis, Dave Samuels, Vic Juris and many more decided to create some lasting works before being fallen by a brain tumor. Some of his proteges got together and really kicked it out on some high octane works that are long on energy, deep chops and a general hot playing that serves as a fitting tribute to a cat that gave a lot while being in the background to most. A real jazz ear opener, contemporary jazzbos will dig this in a big way. There's a lot going on, it's the kind of set that you have to listen to more than once and more than casually to really get all that is going on. Well worth your time. - CHRIS SPECTOR MIDWEST RECORD

Paul Nash was a composer, educator and jazz guitarist with degrees in both jazz and classical composition. He created The Paul Nash Ensemble in 1977, of which trumpeter Mark Isham was a member. He also helped organize the Bay Area Jazz Composers Orchestra which featured such stars as Tom Harrell and David Samuels and merges jazz and classical music. He moved to NYC in l990, founded the Manhattan New Music Project and wrote chamber music, pieces for orchestra, and playful avant works inspired by John Cage and Stockhausen.

In 2003 Nash learned he had a fatal brain tumor and determined to leave a final legacy to his career. He set about a project to remaster and reissue his earlier works, and to create a new two-CD project, of which this disc is the first. The 15 tracks deal with some of the various aspects of jazz compositions with which Nash deal during his career. The first thing that sets the music apart is that it sounds little like a typical modern jazz sextet. The writing is more chamber music in style, with a classical approach to structure and form. It struck me as a less tonal, more contemporary version of works such as Johnny Richards' Adoration of the Muses. But some of the pieces - such as Night Flight - have a very strong beat and swing madly. And there are some wilder, free-jazzish solos.

Altogether a fascinating musical journey. Makes me anxious to hear the second of the new CDs, a work combining Nash's more avant writing with the familiar tone of film noir soundtrack music. Nash made it, with difficulty, thru the mixing sessions for these albums, and passed away six weeks later. - John Henry Audiophile Audition

In 2005, visionary composer/guitarist Paul Nash lost his battle with brain cancer. Some six weeks prior to his passing, Nash was able to complete production on Jazz Cycles, a suite orchestrated for his ensemble, Manhattan New Music Project (MNMP). The resulting disc is chock-full of intricate writing, spontaneous group interplay and staggering solos. Stylistically, Nash's music runs the gamut of contemporary jazz; from free-form, to post- bop to funk.

The ensemble work throughout the disc's fifteen tracks is stunning. In the tradition of Gil Evans and Charles Mingus, Nash's thoughtfully arranged compositions garner strength from the individual personalities of some of the finest musicians performing in jazz today. The camaraderie for each other and for the spirit of their fallen leader can be heard from the opening theme and variations of “Passaglia" to the immense waves of rhythmic gust on the closing “Epilogue."

Each member of the MNMP is given ample solo space. Trumpeter Shane Endsley blows with conviction on “Outside In," alto and soprano saxophonist Bruce Williamson soars elegantly on “Ballad for T," tenor saxophonist Tim Ries explores an aggressive edge on “Desire," pianist Jim Ridl exercises immense patience on “Wind Over the Lake," bassist Jay Anderson maintains a lyrical intensity on “Interlude 1" and “Interlude 3," guitarist Vic Juris burns through “Tamalpais Night" and drummer Grisha Alexiev brings vibrant closure to “It's Only a Dream."

The unwavering dedication of the members of MNMP to the legacy of Nash and his incomparable work is heard in bursts of joyous conviction, anguish and urgency. Jazz Cycles, amazingly recorded in a single six-hour session, is an adventure in risk taking. Nash left a bright light shining on the music world. --John Barron AllAboutJazz.com

Visit Website

For more information contact .

Comments

Tags

View events near New York City
Jazz Near New York City
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

News

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.