Reviews that mention Colin Stetson
March 22, 2016
Guelph, Ontario
September 16-20, 2015
By Ken Waxman
Story telling of the verbal and instrumental variety was an important feature of this year’s Guelph Jazz Festival. Trying out new venues such as Heritage Hall (HH), Guelph’s first black church; and the soft-seated Guelph Little Theatre (GLT), the festival added a feeling of intimacy to its innovative programming.
Front and centre with tales, tall and otherwise were two Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (ACCM) members, multi-reedist Douglas Ewart and alto saxophonist Matana Roberts. Confirming the old adage that actions can speak louder than words were musicians as cerebrally intricate as Evan Parker’s soprano saxophone forays or as raucous as guitarist Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog trio. MORE
March 10, 2013
Colin Stetson & Mats Gustafsson
Stones
Rue Grammofon RCD 2136 CD
Max Nagl
In Memory of Lol Coxhill
Rude Noises 021
Vladimir Tarasov/Garth Powell
Etudes
SoLyd SLR 0414
Hot and Cold
Hogwild Manifesto
Jungulous 003
Something In The Air: Identical Instruments: Different Sounds
By Ken Waxman
Demonstrating that accepted musical customs are often shibboleths – the equivalent of not wearing white after Labour Day – contemporary improvisers frequently express themselves unconventionally – even when it comes to instrumental choices. Take for example the fine duo sessions here. Unaccompanied by others, the players prove that there are enough textures available from nearly identical instruments to create full sound pictures. These sets show not only how much can be done with two guitars – a common combination – but also by two percussion sets, not to mention two saxophones of similar ranges and timbres. MORE