Rob Brown is an awesome alto saxophonist and a mercurial improviser who is perpetually inventive. Over the years he has been a foundation member of the principal groups of William Parker, with whom he has shared a musical relationship for over twenty years. But Brown has also revealed himself to be a very gifted composer and group leader. A principal focus of Crown Trunk Root Funk is deep grooves, sometimes dark and ominous, with levity provided by Brown’s indelible melodies and the highly exploratory work of this extraordinary band. William Parker provides the root bass, and drummer Gerald Cleaver (who has worked extensively with Matthew Shipp, Roscoe Mitchell, Joe Morris, and Mat Maneri) brings his supremely sensitive musicality and Detroitbred funk. Keyboardist and fellow Detroit native Craig Taborn (whose collaborative pedigree spans Tim Berne, James Carter, Carl Craig, Roscoe Mitchell, Susie Ibarra, Meat Beat Manifesto, and Chris Potter) is likewise endlessly inventive within this tremendously rewarding sonic ecosystem.
“Brown is one of the hardest hitting alto players currently on the scene … a fiercely original voice.” — JazzTimes
“One of the most consistently musical and compelling of the new free-jazz players.” — Boston Phoenix
“One of the most talented musicians playing in the avant-garde.” — New York Times
“It’s hard to think of another jazz player who’s emerged in the last two decades who can cover so much territory so effortlessly: he’s just as commanding playing swinging bebop over a walking bass line as he is furiously spitting motivic variations in a totally free context.” — Chicago Reader |