1999 All
Music Guide Pick: "Best of Artist"- 1999 AFIM Indie
Award nominee
[See reviews]
Politics, religion, intrigue, mystery, love, and even sexy Bible stories — another passionate mix from French horn virtuoso/composer Tom Varner. Features Chick Corea's angular altoist Steve Wilson, bassist Cameron Brown (Joe Lovano's current bassist and veteran of the Don Pullen-George Adams Quartet), and violinist Mark Feldman in a mini "chamber" spotlight. As Mojomagazine says, Tom Varner is one of "the most enlightened performers in New York jazz."
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Musicians
Tom Varner, French horn · Steve Wilson, alto
saxophone · Tony Malaby, tenor saxophone · Cameron
Brown, bass · Tom Rainey, drums.
With special guests: Mark Feldman, violin · Dave
Ballou, trumpet · Pete McCann, guitar.
- "Swimming" (10:22)
- "Pantoum (6:09)
- "Maybe Yes (12:06)
- "Samuel Gets the Call" (14:10)
Seven Miniatures for Mark Feldman
- "A Waltz" (4:48)
- "Mark at the Circus" (1:05)
- "A Dream" (1:00)
- "Mark Goes to Work" (1:11)
- "A Memory of One Nashville Gig" (2:18)
- "Mark Goes Minimalist" (1:02)
- "Another
Circus" (1:08)
- "OmniTone Blues" (4:35)
- "Paul Goes to Rome" (3:52)
- "Strident" (8:36)
- "Chicago Interlude" (3:03)
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Reviews
-
"...the strongest music of the decade just ended." —Bob Blumenthal, Boston Globe (6 October 2000)
-
"...Varner
has recruited an impressive group who are among the
hottest if not finest modern jazz musicians on the
scene today.... There's a
lot to get excited about on Swimmingas
Varner excels as a multifaceted composer who injects
a good deal of emotion and color into his work which
is enhanced by a supremely motivated
ensemble who share Varner's plight and compelling
vision. After listening to this recording several times,
it became apparent, that Varner has established a
unique jazz vocabulary. Swimming should
not go unnoticed! Highly
recommended."
—Glenn Astarita, AllAboutJazz.com -
Top 10 of 1999..."Swimming is one session in which most jazz fans can
happily immerse themselves."
—Ken Waxman, JazzWeekly.com -
"[Varner] has patiently opened the doors to a very personal American music, drawing on jazz and other traditions and turning out some of the best New York records of the 90's."
—Richard Cook, Jazz Review Magazine (Feb 2000) -
"...Varner has a Mingus-like gift for intertwining complex counter-melodies in a manner that's more soulful than acrobatic. This approach creates countless opportunities for inspired improvisation ... Swimming is a marvel of cohesive ensemble writing and playing ..."
—Nate Chinen, Philadelphia City Paper (3 Feb 2000)
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