Jonathan Kreisberg Unearth CD

Maybe it's something in the water. Spend almost any night in New York City and you'll hear some of the world's best young jazz musicians, diverse in style and aesthetic outlook but united in their passion, and often in their near scandalous technical pro

An up-and-coming jazz guitarist, Jonathan Kreisberg contributed all eight selections to this program. "Minor Leaps" is a run through the "Giant Steps" chord changes (some of which were altered to minor chords), "Until the Sun Submits" is a lyrical ballad, and "New for Now" is a romp. On "Pacific," Kreisberg's tone sounds a bit like John Scofield although his ideas are original, while on the jazz waltz "Microcosm for Two," he switches effectively to acoustic guitar. "Hobroken" is a 16-bar blues while "Peru" and "Unearth" have complex but logical chord changes and consistently inspired playing. The quintet sounds a bit unusual due to the instrumentation, which has a guitar-trumpet-electric piano front line. Trumpeter Scott Wendholt and keyboardist Aaron Goldberg are strong assets on the set while bassist Matt Penman and drummer Anthony Pincotti play their supportive roles well. ~ Scott Yanow

Personnel: Jonathan Kreisberg (guitars); Scott Wendholt (trumpet); Aaron Goldberg (electric piano); Matt Penman (bass instrument); Anthony Pinciotti (drums).

JazzTimes (p.94) - "[W]ith plenty of fast-paced, chops-testing material as well as more pensive, balladic fare. Everyone plays with brilliance..."