1st April 2019: Latest reviews for Walter Smith III and Matthew Stevens’ ‘In Common’ include ★★★★ from Audiophile Edition and Drums & Percussion Magazine + Feature in Jazz Weekly + Newport Jazz Festival Date + new recording in May

The moment when spontaneity and technical expertise coalesce into a decidedly different soundscape is captured convincingly in this debut release from In Common. Behind that veiled moniker are the prominent names of tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III and guitarist Matthew Stevens – and together with vibraphonist Joel Ross, bassist Harish Raghavan and drummer Marcus Gilmore, they fashion striking improvisations from original compositional foundations.

In Common will be appearing at Newport Jazz Festival on August 19th. More info: here

Excitedly, Walter and Matthew will form a new personnel for ‘In Common’ the follow up later in May – more news on this soon.

Latest press highlights for In Common

“A palpably collective expression of living in the moment and making music accordingly with each musician stepping in and out of the limelight to take a solo and a proverbial bow before receding into the ensemble thereafter.”
JazzdaGama (full review)

“Smith and Stevens set the style of the sound… A delightful duo.”
Jazzma (full review)

“Five very talented musicians whose special chemistry allows them to hear each others great qualities within complete musical harmony…”
Written in Music (full review)

“These (works) are, in sum, sincere and poised accounts of musicianship, a tribute to the faultless character of each individual who contributes in spades to this group as a whole.”
JazzdaGama (full review)

“Sensitive and aware music by perceptive and attentive jazz artists who can produce insightfully full music. “
★★★★Audiophile Edition (full review)

“An intense, playful, contemporary jazz album with a fine cast who all have something to say… immensely enjoyable.”
★★★★ Drums & Percussion (full review)

“A remarkable debut.”
Jazz ‘n’ More

“Stylistically oriented in jazz history, from hard bop to fusion elements, through free design to romantic a successful merger delivered with dramlike security.”
Musik an sich

“A harmonic flow of spontaneity and technical expertise.”
★★★★ Stereo

Walter Smith III Feature interview with: Jazz Weekly