Alex Domschot
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Alex Domschot

| INDIE | AFM

| INDIE | AFM
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"Commuting to Planet Virtuosity"

...Domschot is a highly credentialed musician and composer with an educational resume and list of performing credits as long as his arm. His release, “Venusian Commute", co-produced by drummer, Vic Stevens, is at once a testimony to his exquisite musicianship and a statement of uncommon sensitivity in addressing contemporary jazz.

Building on a core guitar trio, Domschot alternates between the nylon string guitar and what might possibly be a Venusian Stratocaster (pre CBS, of course). Comparisons are inevitable. I am reminded of the fluidity of Frank Gambale and the esoteric, electronic touch of Allan Holdsworth. Domschot’s use of a mini string section has a thoughtfulness and elegance evocative of Claus Ogerman. Here, I will refrain from making any further references to likeness and let the music speak for itself.

The CD opens with the very beautiful Domschot composition, “Sad Princess”, a meditative piece featuring the cello of Warren Samples, nylon string guitar work by Domschot, and underpinned by Steven’s hypnotic ostinato cymbal. Bassist, Marc Johnson intros the Coltrane composition, “Some Other Blues". Domschot plays the head and takes off on a free-wheeling duet with the drums. The trio wraps it up, and to aptly quote the disembodied voice at the end of the cut: “That one’s got some snarl in it”.

Andy Lalasis guests on bass for a rarefied telling of Jim Hall’s composition, “Two’s Blues”. Little concession is made here to commercialism.

“Gary’s Theme” (Gary McFarland) takes us back to a contemplative state before lightly floating into time.

“Coal Man” is dedicated to Ornette Coleman - and transitions effortlessly from ballad to swing and some virtuoso playing by the trio. Check out Domschot’s burning guitar work. A fine bass solo is turned in by Johnson.

The title cut, “Venusian Commute”, is next and surprisingly turns out to be an interstellar mutation of the well-traveled Earth blues. No freeloaders allowed on this trip.

Also penned by Domschot is “Teachers”, which opens with ethereal guitar pads layered over lyrical pizzicato bass lines by Johnson - who then picks up the bow to very good effect. Some great drum stuff by Stevens.

The album wraps up with a tune by Lennon-McCartney. “Fool on the Hill” might be here to give some faint of heart program director a lifesaver to grab on to. Kathy Ridl’s imaginative cover design is a real treat - and for those of you with a desire to navigate your way around Venus, there is included a handy “tube” map.

Tom Adams - Record-Breeze - Record Breeze


"Guitartistry"

From the epic, 11-minute opener, "Sad Princess," played on acoustic guitar and augmented by brooding string quartet, to an edgy, frantically paced cover of Jim Hall's "Two's Blues," a lyrical samba treatment of the Beatles' "Fool on the Hill" and the "All Blues"-y title track, the Seattle native and current New York resident cuts a wide stylistic swatch on this ambitious outing.

Bassist Marc Johnson provides some inspired interplay with drummer Vic Stevens on an Ornette Coleman tribute ("Coal Man"), which features an explosive electric guitar solo by Domschot, and also on a swinging rendition of John Coltrane's "Some Other Blues," which has Domschot dipping into Scofield mode on his solo.

Johnson, whose deep-toned presence and impeccable time is felt profoundly throughout, delivers a dramatic bowed solo on the atmospheric, ECM-ish "Teachers." He also skillfully weaves beautiful contrapuntal lines around Domschot's guitar on the delicate Gary McFarland composition, "Gary's Theme." Great ideas and great chemistry. - Jazz Times


"Textura"

...Though [Marc] Johnson's own discography as a leader may be modest, he's appeared on a vast multitude of albums, one recent example Venusian Commute, a mix of classics and originals by NY guitarist Alex Domschot that's more wide-ranging than spacey.

Like Johnson, Domschot initially adopts a deferential pose by showcasing Warren Samples' lyrical cello during the eleven-minute opener “Sad Princess,” but generally shifts the focus to himself thereafter. Domschot makes a rare acoustic showing on the opener too, with his silken sound caressed by the lush backdrop of a chamber string orchestra and the understated support of Johnson and drummer Vic Stevens.

While Domschot has worked with established figures like Tony Bennett, Petula Clark, Henry Mancini, and Bernadette Peters plus has an equally extensive list of theatre credits, Venusian Commute is no exercise in jazz-lite. The trio literally burns through Jim Hall's “Two's Blues” (Andy Lalasis occupying the bass chair) and the Ornette tribute “Coal Man” (Domschot's sound at times simulating a guitar synth), and aggressively attacks Coltrane's “Some Other Blues” with Domschot dropping fleet angular runs and a bluesy, biting twang that can't help but recall Scofield (whose influence also presides over the “All Blues”-styled title piece).

The album has its share of quieter, impressionistic moments too, with Domschot waxing reflectively throughout the delicate “Gary's Theme” and Johnson bowing on the meditative “Teachers”; the album even includes a samba-like treatment of The Beatles' “Fool on the Hill” (which sounds better than it does on paper).

Like 'Shades of Jade', Venusian Commute is less intent on revolutionizing the form than with enhancing the jazz repertoire with quality sounds, a goal handsomely accomplished. - Textura/ Signal to Noise


"Venus Envy"

An imaginative, worthwhile release, Venusian Commute features a formidable trio in a variety of settings. Though led by guitarist Alex Domschot (and including four of his original compositions), the strength of the performances is often supplied by the rhythm section of Marc Johnson and Vic Stevens, who work impeccably well together.

The opening, epic (eleven minute-plus) track, "Sad Princess," strives for a kind of impressionistic ambiance and mostly succeeds. Domschot's Wyndham Hill-esque acoustic guitar phrases are interwoven with evocative, brooding string arrangements and spurred gently along by Stevens' staccatoed cymbal rappings. From there, the group settles into a more straightforward jazz mode with brilliant covers of John Coltrane's "Some Other Blues" and Jim Hall's "Two's Blues." While Domschot recalls the edgy effect-pedal style of John Scofield, Johnson and Stevens are putting on an absolute clinic behind him; these two tracks in particular are brimming with intuitive communication and creative energy. On "Some Other Blues," Johnson's bass purrs like a motor driving the well-oiled machine, while "Two's Blues" finds Stevens in the limelight, setting a furious percussive pace.

"Coal Man", a tribute to Ornette, finally places Domschot's guitar theatrics on full display, particularly during an electric solo...the song is shot full of ideas connected in an angular and blistering format that more than upholds the spirit of its namesake.

Sandwiching "Coal Man" are two songs, "Gary's Theme" (written by Gary McFarland) and "Venusian Commute," which provide a softer dynamic to the eclecticism at hand. The playing here is somewhat nebulous at times, almost dreamlike, and generally less absorbing - although the title track does have a pleasant, mid-tempo swing to it.

This does little to prepare the listener for the epiphany to come on the dramatic culmination of the album, "Teachers" Johnson begins by eking out a melody over the back-lit, reverb-drenched guitar chords before yielding to deeply etched, foreboding cello intonations. Along with Johnson's eventual return to the proceedings, Stevens bursts forth to bash the living tar out of his drum set, enhancing the dramatic effect of the piece.

It's little wonder that even after the comparatively low-key cover of the Beatles' "Fool on the Hill" (which features perhaps Domschot's most lyrical playing therein) to close the album, "Teachers" ends up registering as the most memorable component of the disc once it has stopped spinning. Besides showcasing first-rate musicianship all around, the strongest case for Venusian Commute can be made by this, the best example of Domschot's willingness to take chances and not rein himself or his considerable breadth of musical ideas in by adhering to a singular form. - Jazz Review


Discography

Alex Domschot's latest release is VENUSIAN COMMUTE (Dreambox Media 1085) *currently getting radio and streaming airplay

Alex can also be heard on the following recordings:

Vic Stevens - If People Could Talk (Alternity)
Tag - Simple Minded (Futility)
Sarah Lisitski - All of Me (Grace)
Vic Stevens' Mistaken Identities - No Curb Ahead (Lolo)
Jeff Klein - L'évangile du Coeur (D-Tour)
Virtual Generation - Le Groove (Incius)
Howard Isaacson - DreamWorld (Sunrise)
Jeff Klein - fin (D-Tour)
Michael Pedicin Jr. - Angles (Optimism)
Geri Mingori Band - The Grass on the Other Side (HRZ)
Raoul Romero - Music of Raoul Romero (Seabreeze)
Chris Fio Rito - A Lovely Way To Spend an Evening (TDL)

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Bio

Guitarist/Composer Alex Domschot’s recording and performing credits include Tony Bennett, Petula Clark, Rosemary Clooney, Harry Connick Jr., James Darren, Joe Farrell, Joel Grey, Ann Gillian, Freddie Hubbard, Jack Jones, Lanie Kazan, Morganna King, Jeff Klein, Steve Lipia, Henry Mancini, Maureen McGovern, Monk Montgomery, Maria Muldaur, Judy Neimack, Anthony Newley, Michael Pedicin, Jr., Bernadette Peters, Kristina Pruitt, Chita Rivera, Raoul Romero, Jack Sheldon, Vic Stevens, Third Premise, Three Degrees, and Kit Walker, among others.

Theater credits include Cabaret, Floyd Collins, Gemini, Grease, It’s Better with a Band (David Zippel), Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Last Five Years, Mama Mia, Myths and Hymns (Adam Guettel), Oklahoma, Peter Pan & Wendy, Rent, Saturday Night Fever, Thoroughly Modern Millie

Alex attended Eastman School of Music under the tutelage of Gene Bertoncini, Bill Dobbins, and Ray Ricker. West Coast studies included private instruction with Howard Roberts, legendary session player and founder of GIT (Guitar Institute of Technology) in Los Angeles.

Mr. Domschot has served on the guitar faculty at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia; he has participated in master classes at UA, Duquense University (PA) and Rowan University (NJ), and currently maintains a steady roster of private students. Alex also assists in audio and video archiving at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

Domschot has performed on the ABC, NBC, FOX, PBS, BBC, French and Japanese television networks - and has led various ensembles in live broadcasts on National Public Radio. He has composed for Film, Television, and Dance, as well as Virtual Generation’s interactive DVD, " Le Groove".

Alex can be heard on Howard Isaacson’s newly released "Dreamland", and served as guitarist, composer, orchestrator and conductor on Sarah Lisitski’s debut recording, "All of Me". Domschot is a featured soloist on Matt Curran’s latest release, "Single Minded"; he also co-produced "Time For Three", the debut CD, featuring Curtis alumni Nick Kendall, Zachary DePue, and Ranaan Meyer. Alex also contributed mandolin and electric and nylon guitar on Vic Stevens' Mistaken Identities' upcoming release, "If People Could Talk", which features bassists Percy Jones and Michael Manring, among others

As a leader, Domschot’s latest release is "Venusian Commute" [Dreambox Media 1085], teamed with Marc Johnson (bass) and Vic Stevens (drums), to which he contributed all of the original material - in addition to serving as co-producer.

"He is regarded as a musician’s musician...the premiere soloist...Alex is that rare breed of performing artist with no artistic compromise in his personality. He has continued to pursue that infinite musical growth that eludes all but the most dedicated few."

Dean Witten, Ph.D. Music Dept. Chair, Rowan University

"It was an evening of guitar extravaganza...Domschot is destined for a paramount role in the music world."

The Sun

"Improvisation is Alex’s forte. He doesn’t discard traditional musical structures but attempts to transcend them - the result being an original musical entity."

Guitar Player

"Domschot responds with some deft impressionistic touches to help set the mood...this is jazz without any hyphens."

downbeat

"...the fluidity of Frank Gambale and the esoteric, electronic touch of Allan Holdsworth. Domschots use of a mini string section has a thoughtfulness and elegance evocative of Claus Ogerman."

Record Breeze

"...displayed a mastery of sound, style and craft...Mr Domschot is a sonic shapeshifter."

Guardian