Jeff Albert

Troy Collins reviews Pluto Junkyard for AAJ. Click the link to read the whole thing.

Lucky 7’s | Pluto Junkyard:

“Eschewing conventional AABA forms and head-solo-head structures, these episodic tunes feature an array of advanced compositional devices. Shifting tempos, fluctuating rhythms and unexpected bridges, turnarounds and codas yield a string of dynamic mood changes. Vibrant bouts of controlled collective improvisation and effusive unaccompanied horn cadenzas materialize repeatedly throughout the album, revealing conceptual parallels between Chicago-based, AACM-oriented free improvisation and New Orleans-styled polyphony.”

jazzword.com:

“Moving down south from Ninth Avenue to the Ninth Ward, Jeff Albert’s trick bag opens up wide enough to expose a series of the trombonist’s quirkily titled compositions. Most are performed with a sort of jerky and jokey unison between Albert’s trombone double-tonguing and slurs and Ray Moore’s slithery and slippery alto saxophone timbres. Albert’s low blats usually limn the melody while Moore’s sharp trills decorate them – or the process is reversed. Bassist Tommy Sciple walks convincingly, while drummer Dave Cappello’s breaks sometime function as a third lead voice.

Albert, who has backed Crescent City R&B journeymen such as George Porter and Deacon John, is also linked to the newest generation of Windy City improvisers, with his post-Hurricane Katrina-organized Lucky7s band, co-lead by fellow vale-pumper Jeb Bishop and otherwise staffed by Chicagoans.

Here, a piece like ‘Bag Full of Poboys’ is the most New Orleans-like in its grooves, with an in-the-pocket beat and the trombonist and altoist involved in searing double counterpoint. Staying down-and-dirty at the same time as it progresses, the piece allows Albert to let loose with brays, slurs and purrs, while just before Moore fractures the theme with altissimo runs, Cappello’s cymbal action and drags confirm the rhythm.
Not every tune is andante and staccato, however. ‘Subtle Flower’, for instance, is an intricate ballad. Slowly fertilizing the bloom, the two horn men’s timbres often intertwine, although each is playing a different melody. Moore moves from mid-range to whistling chirps that ascend to higher pitches, while Albert blows blurry, buzzy modulations.
Sometimes the piece takes on a vaguely oriental feel as with ‘Rookie Cyclist’. Steadily pumped and goosed by Cappello’s ruffs and bumps, the theme gives Albert a chance to showcase a wide-ranging collection of grace notes à la Roswell Rudd, and reed-biting Moore the place to assay rough Archie Shepp-like runs.”

I was interviewed by Jason Crane for his podcast “The Jazz Session.” Click the link below to visit The Jazz Session site and hear the interview.

The Jazz Session » The Jazz Session #62: Jeff Albert

Peter Margasak reviewed Similar in the Opposite Way as part of his Chicago Reader preview of our performance at The Hungry Brain on June 14, 2009.

Engines, Jeff Albert Quartet | Hungry Brain | Chicago Reader:

“Even before Katrina, Albert was working to absorb the influence of free jazz—a genre that rarely takes root in his hometown, with its tradition of celebratory street-parade and dance-band jazz—and the prevalence of those more abstract strains in the Chicago scene has had an unmistakable influence on the excellent new album by his New Orleans quartet. The tunes on Similar in the Opposite Way (Fora Sound), all Albert originals, burst with energy and ideas: the players embrace their New Orleans heritage with wonderful multi linear improvisation that’s reminiscent of Dixieland-style simultaneous soloing, even as they explore the sort of less structured postbop that’s popular with Chicago’s Umbrella Music community. Albert has a wonderfully fat, buttery tone and a highly melodic style; drummer Dave Cappello and bassist Tommy Sciple make for a limber, funky rhythm section; and saxophonist Ray Moore is not only an excellent foil for Albert but also a forceful, inventive soloist in his own right. “

Summer Love from Clean Feed:

“One of the more electrifying bands recording today…”

“…displays the ability to traverse multiple styles, emotions, and volumes. All supremely entertaining.”

Sunday June 14, 2009 Event of Centerstage Chicago - Chicago City Life in Chicago, Illinois:

“Bringing improvisation to the traditional sounds of his native city, New Orleans trombonist/composer Jeff Albert combines bits of swing, groove and funk with the clashing rhythms and melodies that define much of the Chicago improv-jazz sound. Albert’s quartet stays musically modest via its arrangement of saxophone, bass and drums, which leads to moments of accessibility and beauty on the group’s new album, Similar in the Opposite Way. Albert also is a member of cross-country collaboration The Lucky 7s, which features a horn-heavy frontline and fellow trombonist Jeb Bishop, a key cog of the night’s second band, The Engines. A sonically diverse mix of nimble runs and subdued tones, The Engines has a new album, Wire and Brass, out on Okkadisk this month. (Scott Morrow)”

Record reviews: Return to Forever, John McLaughlin-Chick Corea Five Peace Band, Miles Okazaki, Jeff Albert. (MetalJazz):

“And they swing. Whether waltzing (“Folk Song”), start-stopping (“Chalk & Chocolate”), rushing-bumbling (“I Was Just Looking for My Pants”) or dirging (“Subtle Flower”), the Albert Quartet stroll along with congenial grace. Which is another attitude they have in common with Coleman, especially early O: a feeling of warm humanity. It’s a Southern thing.”

Click the link to read the whole thing.

Clean Feed CF 141

Jeb Bishop, trombone (guitar on “The Dan Hang”) / Jeff Albert, trombone, bass trombone / Josh Berman, cornet / Keefe Jackson, tenor saxophone / Jason Adasiewicz, vibraphone /Matthew Golombisky, double bass (electric bass on “The Dan Hang”) / Quin Kirchner, drums

#6 / Pluto Junkyard / Ash / Cultural Baggage / Future Dog (for Jaki) / Jaki’s Walk / Afterwards / The Dan
Hang / Sunny’s Bounce

Click on any title for an mp3 excerpt.

Compositions 1, 6, 7 & 8 by Jeb Bishop (BMI), 2 by Quin Kirchner (BMI), 3, 5 & 9 by Jeff Albert (BMI) and 4 by Keefe Jackson (BMI)

Recorded July 19 & 20, 2007 at Strobe Recording, Chicago, IL by James Wagner assisted by Gary
Schepers / Additional recording by Matthew Golombisky / Mixed by Jeff Albert and Jeb Bishop
Mastered by Jeff Albert / Produced by Jeff Albert and Jeb Bishop / Executive production by Trem Azul /
Photo by Laurie Herbert / Design by Travassos

Purchase Pluto Junkyard directly from the artist for $12 (US) which includes shipping in the US.

Something Else!: Quickies: Jake Hertzog, Rudder, Gene Ess, Jeff Albert Quartet:

“The pianoless quartet is quite agile and notes tend not to be wasted. Albert and Moore often playfully joust with the rhythm section … the Jeff Albert Quartet is unique and fun.”

Below is an excerpt of a review of the tune “I Was Just Looking for my Pants.” Click the link to read the whole thing.

Jeff Albert: I Was Just Looking For My Pants –Jazz.com | Jazz Music – Jazz Artists – Jazz News:

“Jeff Albert has a great sense of humor that this thought-provoking, Braxton-esque track is laced with. Albert and saxophonist Ray Moore kick things off with a series of staccato notes that almost seem like they’re ignoring each other, except for that looking over the shoulder thing. Without warning, the full band jumps in and swings like crazy. But hey, don’t get too comfortable, as the swing vaporizes and is replaced by several interconnected rubato passages. The tension is delicious because you just never know when the crazy staccato/swing thing is going to pop back up. Both Tommy Sciple and Dave Cappello do a great job of adding to the horn cacophony with their extended techniques.

Though I can’t imagine Anthony Braxton using the word ‘pants’ in a composition’s title (maybe a pictogram?), I can certainly hear the musical parallel here.”