7th September 2015: Samuel Blaser’s ‘Spring Rain’: Worldwide press update: Jazz Thing, Jazzwise Magazine, Jazzthetik, Jazz Tokyo, and more weigh in + tour and EFG London Jazz Festival date…
Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser made his Whirlwind debut earlier this year with his new quartet album Spring Rain, a tribute to US clarinettist and composer Jimmy Giuffre.
Blaser is a musician who seeks to widen the musical scope of his instrument while retaining its tonal identity and thrives on continually developing and communicating new expressions in improvisation, keen for audiences to discover and appreciate the trombone in other forms. Spring Rain displays that intent with an immersive sound world which rewards with deeper understanding.
The album features NY heavyweights Russ Lossing, Drew Gress and Gerald Cleaver.
Released to great critical acclaim, the album continues to receive a massive stream of appreciative reviews from music publications in Chile to Tokyo and nearly everywhere in between. Samuel is currently touring across Europe culminating with a performance at the EFG London Jazz Festival on 15th November 2015 (details), before embarking on an extensive tour across North America lasting till the new year. To keep updated with all Samuel’s show dates go: here
Here is a selection of the recent press highlights for Spring Rain:
“More than just excellent, it’s surprising Contemporary Improvised Music on compositionally solid standing.”
5 Stars, Concerto Magazine (website)
“Blaser plays in the top league in his field, and not just in Switzerltand, but globally… full of warmth and seemingly effortless approach in his tone, as well as rhythmic multiphonics.”
5 Stars, Jazz ‘n’ More (website)
“This is music with an intellectual edge.”
5 Stars, Stereo Magazine (website)
“Cinematographic, dark and dazzling… Regardless of labelling attempts, Spring Rain has two typical characteristics: a trombonist will think it is remarkable; everyone else will think so as well.”
5 stars, Cuadernos de Jazz Editores (SP) (website)
“A work that shows the way that improvised music can be a real listening experience: unpredictable, exciting and enjoyable.”
4 stars, Jazzthetik (website)
“The music on Spring Rain has something so incredibly refreshing and encouraging.”
4 stars, Telérama (FR) (website)
“Maintains the sense of lyricism whilst pushing at the boundaries.”
4 stars, Jazz Magazine (website)
“The result is great music, firmly rooted in the jazz tradition, but with a very surprising inventiveness.”
4 Stars, Jazz PT (website)
“With his quartet, Blaser makes us rediscover the trombone and its range of possibilities. A great record.”
Le Tarn Libre (FR) (website)
“Spring Rain will appeal to music lovers who like sophisticated, intelligent music with a clear classic vantage point, but with a very modern twist.”
Jazz Press (PL) (website)
“Whether it’s modern post-bop, avant-garde free improv or chamber music, Blaser always brings an unconventional voice to the affair.”
Bird Is The Worm (full review)
“With Spring Rain, Blaser remains in a logic of music at the crossroads of jazz and contemporary music, inventive, and clearly establish milestones for the future.”
Jazz à Bâbord (FR) (full review)
“A nice recording which should open up many gigs around in the Nordic countries for the trombone lovers.”
Salt Peanuts (Norway) (full review)
“Right now, there appears to be no one – and I mean absolutely no one – more eminently qualified to make a tribute to Jimmy Giuffre than Samuel Blaser. The trombonist worships at the altar of of creativity, as Mr. Giuffre did throughout his life…”
Jazz a Gama (full review)
“Samuel Blaser is a top trombonist in the new jazz field and this quartet qualifies as one of the most vibrant out there today.”
Gapplegate Music Review (full review)
“A sublime homage to the visionary work of under-sung innovator Jimmy Giuffre… The sonorous tone of Blaser’s lyrical phrasing and expressive multiphonics is a unifying element throughout.”
All About Jazz (full review)
“Neither simply an out-and-out jazzer nor free jazz exponent, Samuel Blaser’s intention that Spring Rain might “show that the trombone can be melodic and have various forms of expression” is beautifully realised in this imaginative, forward-thinking release.”
London Jazz (full review)
“Spring Rain has an impressive blend of serious and playful moments, music to contemplate yet not fuss over.”
Step Tempest (full review)
“Spring Rain can’t fail to be one of this year’s most celebrated five star releases.”
Jazz Views (full review)
“Blaser has successfully negotiated a path from avant-garde to mainstream-modern and with a dream group produces the record of his career so far.”
Jazz Journal (website)
“Blaser trills and sways with a wonderful, inebriated tone.”
Swiss Vibe Magazine (full review)
“A thrilling piece of work where the ebb and flow of diverse sounds capture the listener, as if he is following in the footsteps of Jimmy who drove the unrestricted interplay among instruments.”
Jazz Tokyo (full review)
“A really great success… superior compositions.”
Leipziger Volkszeitung (website)
“An imaginatively conceived and impeccably rendered dedication to an artist who, like himself, is a true jazz visionary.”
Jazz Bob (website)
“Full of meditative serenity.”
Audio Magazine (website)
“An impressive improviser and composer who looks to the bigger picture of jazz convention.”
Neue Musikzeitung (website)
“[Blaser] patently explores the nooks and crannies within the melodies and rhythms and does so with such delicacy, he moves his colleagues to do the same.”
Glide Magazine (Gr) (full review)
“Samuel Blaser is a top trombonist in the new jazz field and this quartet qualifies as one of the most vibrant out there today.”
Gapplegate Music Review (full review)