|
contents | jazz | |||||||||||||
| July 19 – Capri Records Releases Pianist Michael Pagán's Stellar Quintet Recording Paganova Paganova the new album from the prolific pianist/composer Michael Pagán, who has become a fixture of the Kansas City jazz scene over the past two decades, documents five of his compositions and three arrangements of tunes by some of the most celebrated masters of the post-bop era. While the instrumental format of two saxes and rhythm section, a pillar of the jazz lexicon, may call to mind such seminal works as the Lennie Tristano Quintet featuring Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh, the Cannonball Adderly Quintet in Chicago, and the Tribute to John Coltrane: Live Under the Sky featuring Wayne Shorter and Dave Liebman, Paganova's front line breaks ground in that its reed men, David Chael and Michael Herrera, switch instruments between tenor, alto, and soprano saxophones throughout the entire set, resulting in a breathtaking showcase in the art of sax doubling. The album will be released July 19, 2024 via Capri Records. Bassist Louie Pagán, an independently established composer and producer in his own right, crosses the genre line to join his father's group on electric and upright bass, adding an exciting flare particularly to the Latin and straight-eighth note offerings, while renowned veteran drummer Ray DeMarchi (who appeared on Pagán's 2010 Capri release Three for the Ages) wraps the entire ensemble in sophisticated, experienced drumwork that is at once warm, hard hitting, and heart felt. As Pagán's steady, virtuosic hands testify to the accolades he's received over the years as a versatile mainstream pianist, clearly his compositions and arrangements and the front line of David Chael and Michael Herrera are at the center of Paganova, a release sure to please any fans of double sax quintets. About Michael Pagán Described as a "brilliant, intense" performer of jazz piano by KC Confidential and a "dynamic artist and musical force in today's jazz world" by All About Jazz, Michael Pagán has performed throughout the United States and in Europe with many notable jazz musicians. He appears regularly in the jazz venues of Kansas City as a solo pianist, with his own trio, as leader/pianist of the Michael Pagán Big Band and with his quintet Paganova. As a composer/arranger he has produced nearly 200 works, mostly in the jazz idiom and recorded for numerous labels including Capri Records. "I'm invariably floored by the high quality of each release by the pianist, composer and bandleader." – Bill Brownlee, Plastic Sax ". . . a great display of musicianship both from a compositional and performance point of view." – Bob Karlovitz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Michael Pagán deserves recognition as a superior jazz pianist." – Scott Yanow, All Music Guide ". . . a dynamic artist and musical force in today's jazz world." – Edward Blanco, All About Jazz write your comments about the article :: © 2024 Jazz News :: home page |