Two of Pi Recordings’ 2017 releases have been included in The New York Times Best Albums of 2017, Tyshawn Sorey’s Verisimilitude and Jen Shyu’s Song of Silver Geese. Song of Silver Geese was also received a rave 4.5 star review in the most recent issue of DownBeat.
Last week, Jonathan Finlaysons album Moving Still was featured on All About Jazz. The review calls Finlayson an In demand trumpeter who is laying a foundation of top-tier groundwork in recordings with Steve Coleman on all of the uncompromising composer’s Five Elements albums since 2002.
His expertise at creating atmosphere through texture and color gives each of the pieces on Moving Still a bold, energetic feel without being exaggerated. – Karl Ackermann at AllAboutJazz.com
In festival news, Steve Lehman and Henry Threadgill have been booked to perform at The Big Ears festival 2017 in Knoxville, TN.
Finally, Henry Threadgills Pulitzer Prize winning “In for a Penny, In for a Pound” is available on 2LP vinyl. It is in stock and ready to ship!
For our listeners in New York City, Jen Shyu is finishing up her run at The Stone with a different group of musicians each night. She will be performing every night through August 14th with sets at 8 and 10pm.
Also, starting on August 30th Steve Coleman will be celebrating his 60th birthday with a month of performances at the Stone. He will be playing in multiple groups, with a high potential for new music.
Steve Lehmans invigorating new recording Sélébéyone is receiving some fantastic pre-release press.
“If this is the direction jazz is heading, Lehman, as usual, is miles ahead.”-Downbeat
“Jazz purists, and even some more exploratory listeners, may have to open their ears a bit wider with Sélébéyone, but it will prove well worth it.”- All About Jazz’s Karl Ackerman
“Like all titanic hip-hop and jazz records theirs contains much to consider, lessons to be learned, poetry to contemplate, and new cultures to absorb.”- All About Jazz’s Mark Corroto
Sélébéyone is available for pre-order on bandcamp
Tyshawn Sorey’s The Inner Spectrum of Variables is continuing to get rave reviews in the press.
“This is an astonishing, indefinable work that drags jazz and modern composition into an entirely new realm.”-The Wire
“The Inner Spectrum Of Variables is a hugely impressive and often moving work, establishing Sorey as a worthy heir to creative composers like Anthony Braxton and Henry Threadgill”-The Quietus
“This is one of those rare releases where one can say with confidence that something new and exciting is taking place. Sorey is fast becoming one of the most intriguing musicians and composers of his generation, and if this music is any indication, it signals the opportunity for more creative work to be done in bringing the worlds of classical and improvised music into closer contact.”-Free Jazz Blog
Tyshawn Sorey will be premiering a new work for his Alloy Trio at The Newport Jazz Festival on July 29th. We hope to see you there.
Tyshawn Sorey will be in residency at The Stone this week. Come through and check out what the New York Times calls “a rare performance” and one of 10 Things to Do Now in NYC
Additionally, Tyshawn Sorey’s new album The Inner Spectrum of Variables has been called “a highlight of the year” by Burning Ambulance.
Steve Lehman’s ambitious new project Sélébéyone featuring rappers HPrizm and Gaston Bandimic with composition and production from Maciek Lasserre is almost here.
The second track from this recording “Are You In Peace?” was recently featured in Pitchfork.
“In finessing this range of linguistic dexterity and instrumental expression, the worldliness of the bands performance amounts to a startling new take on the posse cut.”-Pitchfork
Check out the Full Review at Pitchfork
Henry Threadgill’s recently released Old Locks and Irregular Verbs has received a myriad of positive reviews!
“It’s all too much to think about, except for the fact that it’s not. Threadgill’s masterful blend of the independent and interdependent is alive and well in Old Locks and Irregular Verbs.”-All About Jazz
Full review at All About Jazz
“Henry Threadgill may be in his early 70s, but he continues to make music that sounds like no one else. Even when he branches out and doesn’t quite sound like himself, he remains inimitable to a startling degree.”-PopMatters
Full review at PopMatters
“Recent Pulitzer winner Henry Threadgill only makes important records. In the jazz avant-garde, he is both revered elder statesman and active agent provocateur.”-JazzTimes
Full review at JazzTimes
Tyshawn Sorey’s The Inner Spectrum of Variables has also received some great press.
“The lyrical intricacies central to the suite are frequently intermingling their attributes as living entities would do in such close proximity. There is a spontaneity and natural flow in the mix of components that make up The Inner Spectrum of Variables and they belie the complexity and scope of Sorey’s vision; it is the vision of a modern master.”-All About Jazz
Full Review at All About Jazz
Additionally, “Movement II” from The Inner Spectrum of Variables has been featured on The Wire’s 23rd edition of it’s “Below the Radar” playlist
Come join us at the Vision Festival running Tuesday through Sunday this week at Judson Memorial Church. Tons of great music but we are particularly looking forward to Tuesday’s Life Time Achievement tribute to Henry Grimes (Marc Ribot will be there), Wednesday with Jen Shyu’s incredible project Songs of Silver Geese and Saturday with Wadada Leo Smith. Added bonus! We will be selling Pi Recordings CDs in the marketplace. Stop by and say hi!