New on Palmetto
Tim Hagans
The Moon Is Waiting
2011 GRAMMYˆ nominated composer and trumpeter Tim Hagans is one of the most unique and influential modern voices in jazz. His debut recording for Palmetto, The Moon Is Waiting features Tim (trumpet), Vic Juris (guitar), Rufus Reid (bass) and Jukkis Uotila (drums, piano) and was recorded at Maggie’s Farm by Matt Balitsaris.
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11/15/11 Palmetto signs Sara Gazarek!!
Everybody at Palmetto is pleased as punch to announce the signing of vocalist and songwriter Sara Gazarek. We recorded the new album at Maggie's Farm on October 26, 27 and 28 with the incomparable Larry Goldings producing. Josh Nelson (piano), Hamilton Price (bass) and Zach Harmon (drums) were all in great form and complimented Sara perfectly. We had a special guest come on the first day of recording to add guitar and vocals to a couple of tracks...more on that later. Look for Sara's release in the first quarter of 2012!!
10/21/11 Kate McGarry in China!!
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today the 2011 late fall tour schedule for The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad in partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center. Using music and culture as diplomatic tools to bring people together and foster mutual understanding, The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad is the premier 21st Century showcase of traditional American musical forms.
This season’s 10 bands were selected from applications by more than 100 ensembles and will travel to more than 40 countries during month-long tours.
The Kate McGarry Quartet will tour China (November 26-December 14), and Mongolia (December 15-21).
Click here to see the press release from the U.S. State Department
10/17/11 LUCID CULTURE - Intense, Gripping Jazz from Tim Hagans
Jazz trumpeter Tim Hagans has a hard-hitting, darkly intense, frequently noir new album, The Moon Is Waiting, just out on Palmetto. Hagans is a cerebral, uncompromising artist who dedicates himself to creating emotionally impactful music. As he sees it (he goes on at considerable length about this at his site), art might be the most powerful weapon we have against fascism. This record doesn’t seem to have any specific political meaning or message, but it delivers both dark and lighter emotions, and unexpected humor, in equally strong doses. It’ll inspire you to at the very least remember that having music like this is a right worth fighting for.
Alongside Hagans, Vic Juris plays guitar with tremendous, purist eclecticism, frequently reaching back to the 60s, and also to that era’s blues and rock, for tones and riffage. Rufus Reid on bass and Jukkis Uotila on drums swing hard through Hagans’ knotty, shapeshifting tempos and themes; Uotila also contributes tersely lyrical, somewhat brooding piano as well.
One real knockout here is the title track, straight out of the JD Allen school of intensity except for the fact that it’s about about six minutes long. Essentially, it’s just one long intro that keeps the suspense up and doesn’t let go. Hagans plays ominous chromatics over moody minor guitar chords; the background grows disassociative as the trumpet growls, disappears for a bit, comes back in warily and then shivers and screams over the warped, choppy waves behind him. Reid struggles briefly but memorably against the current before finally going under.
Ornette’s Waking Dream of a Woman is less Ornette than Taxi Driver theme, syncopated 70s noir cinematics that rumble in lockstep, slowly diverge, slither back and then give Juris the first of many moments to brighten the mood with some wry blues, which Hagans spins around and sends scurrying into the shadows again. They keep it noir with Get Outside, Hagans in pensive, spacious Miles mood over a tense minimalist piano/bass hook. Soon it goes starlit with solo piano, then takes on a surreal edge that resolves with surprising warmth once Juris gets ahold of it and rocks out a burning, ascending riff that Hagans drives triumphantly through the checkered flag.
What I’ll Tell Her Tonight is the funniest number here, and it’s a gem. It’s not clear who Hagans or his bandmates might be talking to or what they might say to her: what’s clear is that they’ve all been up to no good. Juris begins perfectly deadpan, talking a lot and saying absolutely nothing that has to be said; Hagans knows he’s done wrong but the band won’t let on, tiptoeing while the trumpet eventually goes all mealymouthed. There are other LOL moments here but none quite like this one.
The rest of the album alternates between apprehension and high spirits. Boo begins with deviously watery 80s chorus-box guitar, takes on an easygoing funk feel to the point where Reid lays down a sly solo of his own before once again – there’s a pattern here – Hagans amps up the suspense and the surveillance is on again. Wailing Trees is a darkly bracing mini-suite, a smartly crafted study in passing the anchor between band members as well as balancing tonal colors, drums vs. trumpet or guitar vs. bass. Likewise, Things Happen in a Convertible shifts from swing to quiet tension – particularly during a brilliantly methodical, spacious Reid solo – and then back and forth a couple of times, capped by some delicious chromatic runs by Hagans.
Lucid Culture
10/04/11 Tim Hagans review - O's Place
Tim Hagans - The Moon Is Waiting 3/3
O's Notes: Tim Hagans plays trumpet and leads a fusion quartet with bassist Rufus Reid, Jukkis Uotila (d) and guitarist Vic Juris. They start with an open pallet, an experimental approach that extends through the first three songs. We preferred the second phase, more standard fusion but certainly not lacking creativity. "First Jazz" pulled Uotila into the mix followed by the pulsating blues of "Boo". Hagans work with the mute on "What'll I Tell Her Tonight" is excellent He soars on "Wailing Trees" before they coalesce on the cool swinging groove of the final track "Things Happen In A Convertible". This team is playing to reach emotional highs and when they strike accord and it spills to the audience, sparks fly along with pleasure! Those are the moments to be cherished with this release.
D. Oscar Groomes
O's Place Jazz Magazine
