Connie Crothers Quartet | CCQT | Ontology | NA1035

“The most striking aspect of the music they create is their ability to communicate their individuality while blending into a functioning, cohesive ensemble. This requires a considered approach to the question of “…the nature aand relations of being…” in a democratic group context — thus ontology. Maintaining an individual identity while coalescing into such a satisfying ensemble, and simultaneously creating such a high level of musical quality and surprise, is the true challenge of jazz. The degree to which these four musicians succeed on “Ontology” is refreshing and rare.” — Art Lange, June 19999 (from liner notes) Continue reading

Connie Crothers | Lenny Popkin Quartet | New York Night | NA1008

Bop in a light, relaxed groove, performed at a live date at the Blue Note in New York City. The program consists largely of easily swinging bop tunes, including some originals by Popkin and Crothers — her “Prez Says” is particularly delightful. They play two knotty Lennie Tristano compositions, too: “Leave Me” and “Lennie-Bird.” And there’s one ballad cover, “You Go to my Head,” which is a tour de force for Popkin’s sensuous tenor. This club date was in December, but this quartet plays like spring is here for good. — John Baxter, Option, Jan./Feb. 1991 Continue reading

Connie Crothers Quartet | music is a place | NA1043

They may have started as members of the Lennie Tristano school of jazz, but the members of this highly evolved and polished quartet, as much a collective as the band of pianist Crothers, has ventured far beyond the tenets of Tristano. They take liberties with time, tone, tempo, dynamics and attack that would horrify more orthodox Tristanoites. The lesson they do take to heart is the valuable one of perseverance, of the importance of playing their music as often as possible, or, as Crothers says, “I put a ton of time behind everything I do . . . I spend time with music. It’s a joy! Never work.” Continue reading

Connie Crothers Quintet | Live Outpost Performance Space Albuquerque, New Mexico | NA1041

From piece to piece the music moves smoothly from accurate melodies to intense interaction then soft and mysterious textures that allow poet Mark Weber’s poetry to come through. Through many gestures that could be modal, harmonically static, bebop harmony, dense or open, vertical or horizontal, there is a lot more conversation going on than in many standard jazz quintets. — Francis Lo Kee Continue reading

Notes from New York | a New Artists Record Sampler | NA1034

“NOTES FROM NEW YORK” is a sampler of the New Artists’ catalog, not so much a “greatest hits” collection, as an overview that features virtually all the talented musicians that have recorded for the label. Each of the performances rewards repeated listenings… This independent label’s future looks quite bright as it continues to infuse jazz with feeling, creativity, and fresh ideas.” — Scott Yanow, Editor, All Music Guide To Jazz. Continue reading

Sunnyoutside Press

Sunnyoutside Press strives to publish works of the highest quality and present them in a manner that enhances the reader’s experience. Our aim is to approach the production of our work the same way a poet approaches the poem — everything has a purpose. Continue reading

Percaso

percaso production was established in 1986 by Swiss saxophonist and composer Christoph Gallio who operates the label singlehandely. percaso production is a “subjective” label not charakterized by certain musical styles, but rather a selection by director’s choice. Quality of musical expression counts; commercial determinans not. percaso production collaborates with visual artists in packaging. Danish graphic designer Anne Hoffmann places the format and image into context making the medium a message as well as the music. percaso production releases are created with utmost loving care. All in all: music produced by and for the audiophile. Continue reading