An Unclassifiable Group!
Matthew Merewitz | Washington, DC USA | 12/24/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Miami Saxophone Quartet is composed of players with excellent credentials. Thier accomplishments preceed them, so I will not dwell on them. I choose instead to focus on their ability to please a crowd with diverse listening tastes. The live concert consists of the following genres: jazz, jazz-rock (more commonly known as fusion), Latin, pop, chamber music (i.e. classical), and ragtime. Though held at the University of Miami (to which all four saxophonists have ties in some teaching capacity), the audience surely attracted more than just jazz students and composition majors. The fact that saxophonist-arranger and leader of the group Gary Lindsay can dig deep into his bag of tunes and come up with such a through-composed and well-thought out program is remarkable by itself. The other great thing is that the playing is stellar. Ed Calle's tenor solos take feature light while baritonist Mike Brignola (a Woody Herman alum) is showcased on the classic Thad Jones composition, "A Child is Born". Each of the four reedists are true "doublers" and they sound like the real thing on the classical-influenced tunes. Miami is such a culturally diverse place in that you are either white, black, or Latino. It is thus fitting that the quartet should feature a Latin tune (in this case a tune by the leading Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes) - which Lindsay masterfully arranges for four horns. The group is well complemented by fellow Miami-based musicians.Overall the program is excellent and everyone who listens to this group should find something that they like."
Outstanding Arrangements and Performances
Buckley J. Hugo | Metuchen, NJ United States | 11/04/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This debut CD by the Miami-based group is exceptional in all respects, most notably in the quality of the recording, arrangements and the performances.
The set of tunes is widely varied in terms of style and each player performs on multiple woodwinds, adding to the listening experience. Guest soloists on piano, acoustic bass, drums and percussion also add a dimension not found in other traditional saxophone quartets.
Although all the players are all exceptional, Ed Calle is most noted for his stellar solos, taking altissimo virtuosity to new hights. He takes a prolonged acapella solo on Giant Steps which is worth purchasing for its own sake.
If you are a fan of jazz and/or saxophone arrangements, this is highly recommended listening.
"
Track Listings (7) - Disc #1