Jack Walrath

"It is adventurous music of this caliber which keeps modern music fresh and exciting...."

"Walrath's string writing is exceptional. The result is a musical smorgasbord that touches the listener in unexpected ways. Quite a few jazz/classical experiments have gone awry or sappy but Walrath's amalgamation is straight from the gut, with humor, a sense of wild abandon, and a slew of spirited solos."

"....this notably brazen band was one of Walrath's best, and Duesin' In Dusseldorf and Reverend Red are among his best performances on record, with the two-horn frontline chasing all over the place."

"....has continued to expand the horn..." "This is not music as usual and you simply won't believe Stardust!" "....striking skills as a writer as well as a player."

"....an album that takes many chances, succeeds in most of them...." "....takes risks that other, better-known trumpeters wouldn't dare and more often than not delights an surprises the listener."

"Walrath's triumph could be _______'s lesson: fill your own shoes or be damned!" "Consistent originality and aggressive ecumenism have marked the career of trumpeter Jack Walrath, whose abiding wit and wisdom seep out of nearly every line he plays." "....ever the fearless listener and wide-ranging composer...." "Walrath proffers unusually well-conceived treatments for standards played with daring and panache: one hour of fun-loving derring-do."

"He has decided to have fun with a more familiar repertoire...."

".....a superb version of Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?"

"....choice item...."

"This idyllic process clearly worked on pianist Larry Willis' gorgeous, brocaded collaboration with trumpeter Jack Walrath...."

"....intensely, in-tune dialogue..."

"....a satisfying, often surprisingly adventurous outing. In sum, it's a uniquely excellent CD which serious listeners should seek out. It's hard not to recommend a disc with this much attention to detail."

"Walrath, once with Charles Mingus' band and now leader of the Mingus Dynasty, is that rare trumpeter who can blow with both clarion boisterousness and lilting lyricism, often at the same time."

"....rife with surprises."

"While there's enough meat here to justify repeated listening, there's also a sense of fun that even the most casual listener will pick up on. If this is the type of "serious" hang that Walrath and company often engage in, then I'd be more than willing to "hang" with them the next time out.""....brassy and jubilant horn and includes inspired solo work from everyone involved."

"....the concept of two such relatively straightahead artists as Walrath and Willis working in duo is enough to raise interest in this release."

"The musicians respond to the challenges of each piece with intelligently
nuanced playing. ....neither (musician) has sounded better individually than they do together here."

"Walrath .... attained the intensity of his earlier recording, this time employing a drummerless trio."

"....a mature, original writing style...."
"....ripe, open tone and melodic imaginativeness....."

Unlike timid neo-boppers, these guys aren't afraid to dance along the edge of the provervbial cliff. Unlike less rigorously schooled avant-gardist, they never fall off. When this journey ends, you'll feel like you've been somewhere, man.