Dave Liebman - Selflessness (September 3, 2021 Dot Time Records)

NEA Jazz Master Dave Liebman has always declared that if he had to name one primary influence and inspiration, it would be John Coltrane. The first time he saw Coltrane at Birdland in February 1962, he was 15 years old. As he recounts in his autobiography, What It Is (as told to yours truly), that was the night he saw the light, though he didn’t realize it for years. “Once you see the light,” he explains, “you can never turn away from it, though you may try. I went to see Coltrane from then on, anytime I could.”

This new tribute is special in many ways: it’s by his working band Expansions, not a group of players brought together just to make an album. All of the pieces are newly arranged and rethought—mostly by Liebman, but also by members of the band. It also marks Dave’s return to an album entirely on soprano saxophone--the instrument with which he is most associated.

It’s beyond evident, as well, that Dave has a unique and recognizable style, a strong musical personality that is in no way an imitation of Trane’s.  Liebman is an NEA Jazz Master for good reason— his fluency, clarity and originality on soprano are mind-boggling.

Selflessness will be released on September 3rd to coincide with Dave Liebman’s 75th birthday the following day.

1. Mr. Day

2. Compassion

3. My Favorite Things

4. Ole

5. Lazy Bird

6. Peace On Earth

7. One Up One Down

8. Selflessness

9. Dear Lord

Dave Liebman - Soprano Sax, Wooden Flute (Track 4)

Matt Vashlishan - Alto Sax, Flute (6, 9) Clarinet (4), Wind Synth (2)

Bobby Avey - Piano, Keyboard/Synth (4, 2, 8, 9)

Tony Marino - Acoustic Bass

Alex Ritz - Drums, Frame Drum (4)

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Matt Panayides - Field Theory (April 9, Pacific Coast Jazz)

COMING OUT APRIL 9th, 2021! This album features the music this group has been playing together since 2018. With compositions by the band leader and guitarist Matt Panayides, the group features Matt Vashlishan on Wind Synth, Rich Perry on Tenor Sax, Robert Sabin on bass, and Mark Ferber on drums. The album will come out this Spring

Contemporary jazz composer/guitarist Matt Panayides explores new sonic landscapes on Field Theory.

On FIELD THEORY, guitarist and composer MATT PANAYIDES explores new sonic landscapes by mixing electric and acoustic sounds in a set of modern, highly original post-bop compositions.

FIELD THEORY is a departure from Panayides' previous releases, Conduits (2016) and Tapestries of Song (2011), which were both acoustic, modern jazz projects. The music on FIELD THEORY is complex and modern yet exciting and accessible. The contrast between the electric guitar and EWI with the upright bass and tenor sax creates rich textures.

Although Panayides' approach to composition is influenced by the harmonic language of modern jazz composers like Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock, he set out on his own path, writing tightly structured arrangements with dissonant harmonizations containing ample space for improvisation. Panayides says, ''For me, the ideas for compositions come as if from another place. They will appear at any time, sometimes while practicing or on a gig. But the ideas can also come in a dream, or while driving, or standing in line. The trick is to capture these little musical nuggets as best I can so I can organize them later. This entire album was conceived in this way.

''FIELD THEORY'' is a contemporary jazz album that does not completely abandon traditional forms. Panayides invites the listener in with music that is at once familiar, yet largely unexpected, with pops of contrasting colors that weave together images of sound that tell stories not unlike a great abstract painting.

1 Kite Flying

2 Disturbance

3 Closer Now

4 Field Theory

5 Looking Round Corners

6 Energy Mover

7 2.27.20

8 Penta Folk I Arrive

9 Penta Folk II Coalesce

10 Penta Folk III Ascend

11 Penta Folk IV Depart

12 Self Narrative

Matt Panayides on guitar 

Matt Vashlishan on Wind Synth

Rich Perry on Tenor Sax

Robert Sabin on bass

Mark Ferber on drums

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