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"Dreamstuff"


This new download-only release from the ever amazing Ayler Records is a duo recording by the two free minded musicians, Jeff Marx who controls the tenorsaxophone and the drummer Jeff ”Siege” Siegel. The release consists of ten incredible tight played numbers which was recorded at NRS Recording Studio, Catskill New York on August 18 and december 11 in 2005.

The interplay between these two great artists are really something out of the ordinary. The way the numbers are played brings the thoughts back to the work between John Coltrane and Rashied Ali in the sixties – at times sounding like a updated version of these two old masters and their work together. On this record there is no leadman who stands in front of the other. Both musicians stand together like partners in crime and the result is one strong unit moving forward on a collective mission into the amazing world of free jazz. Marx pushes his saxophone to the limit with convincing and breathtaking results and Siege bangs the drums with great skills and foreward thinking playing on the drums.

The music here is extremely well played by two great musicians, who plays like there was no tomorrow and like this was the one thing they just had to do before the world ends as we know it. As on all of the other releases from Ayler records I have reviewed, the quality is very, very high and I can only give it my most sincere recommendation

- Jazznett By: Henrik Kaldahl


"Best of 2007 - Dreamstuff"


Best of 2007
- Time4time.com


"Best of 2007 - Dreamstuff"


Best of 2007
- Time4time.com


"Review of Dreamstuff (Marx/Siegel)"


AlbanyJazz.com
By: Jeff Waggoner

From the first note of the CD "Dreamstuff," the listener can tell you are being engaged by a serious tenor saxophonist.

Anyone who takes such care to deliver great, throaty blasts out of the sax like Chicago-based Jeff Marx does, you know he is a meticulous craftsman.

Listen further, to "Dreamstuff," the newly released duo CD on the Swedish Ayler Records label with drummer Jeff "Siege" Siegel, you know you are listening to art, not just craft.

Hudson Valley resident Siegel is much more a collaborator in this duo session than he is an accompanist or rhythm keeper. While Marx takes center stage on most of the 10 songs on this CD, Siegel's presence and counterpoint to Marx is what makes this CD a keeper.

It's a rare delight to hear a drum set player who is a total percussionist. Someone who doesn't let any clank, thunk or tinkle go unused.

This is especially the case on the beautiful improvisation, "Bird's Sancutary," whistles, flutes and jangles make it float.

All 10 songs are originals written by Marx, Siegel or producer John Esposito and it is one of those albums that really should be listened as a whole.

It says a lot about the level of musicianship in this region when a label such as Ayler Records produces one of our own. Ayler Records has put out recording of some of the most important free jazz musicians performing today, including Peter Brötzmann, Henry Grimes, Hamid Drake, William Parker, Assif Tsahar and Charles Gayle.

But 'free jazz" shouldn't put off potential listeners of this CD. It occasionally teases with free jazz concepts, but the players/composers always find some kind of organizing principle that shape the music. Every note here makes sense.

Personally, this is one of my favorite CD acquisitions so far in 2007. Recommended.
- Albanyjazz.com: Jeff Waggoner


"Jaromir Honzak (Various Reviews)"

REVIEWS



"Sculpting mood with a loose modal flow, the Czech bass player and composer exhibits a firm grasp of the intricacies of modern jazz. Present Past's significant emotional impact speaks volumes on the abilities of the musicians with whom Honzák has surrounded himself, and of his strengths as a musician and composer."

Paul Ryan, Splendid

"A trusty sideman heard on many jazz productions from the Czech Republic, bassist Jaromír Honzák commits here a straightforward and rewarding album as a leader. His writing is elegant and graceful, with an important melodic input -- a nice change from the usual jazz bass player albums, which tend to be filled with tricky rhythmic patterns that have no meat around the bone."

François Couture, All Music Guide

"In his group concept Honzák emphasizes harmony and playing with atmosphere . His playing is sympathetic with drummer Lukasz Zyta and pianist Michal Tokaj, whose collective performance resembles a painter quietly putting on layers of tones to complete a picture in sound . Sophisticated harmonies, long intensifying spaces, decomposing emotions, profound empathy - these are the moments which characterize a high quality performance of the Honzák Quintet."

Roland Kánik, All About Jazz

"With his albums, Honzák has brought a spirit of openness and freshness into the domestic jazz scene."

Petr W. Van?k, Metropolis

"Present Past is the much anticipated release from the Czech leader and his international band... Honzák's music is exceptionally strong thanks to the bassist's unique compositional style... Profound, world-class music... One of the most significant events in the history of Czech jazz"

Harmonie

"Regardless of the genre or configurations of the projects Honzák has participated in over the years, a unique quality in his music remains constant. And it doesn't matter what we call it: a desire to explore the unknown; pleasure taken in unbounded creativity; or an urge to inspire or be inspired."

Czech Radio 3 - Vltava - Various


Discography

Czech/US Out Live - ARC Records (6/2009 release)
Dreamstuff - Jeff Marx/Jeff "Siege" Siegel Duo - Ayler
Records
"Flying With the Comet" - Second Sight,
Sun Jump Records
(Marx and Siegel w/John Esposito, Dave Douglas)
"Tiger Tracks" - Second Sight,
Sun Jump Records
(Marx and Siegel w/John Esposito, Dave Douglas)

Jeff Marx -

"Great Unknown" - Naugual Music (Jeff Marx, leader)
"Treading Air, Breathing Fire" - Soluna Records
(Jeff Marx, leader)
"Reaching for a Star" - Don Bennett
"West End Avenue" - Reuben Hoch, Belaphon Records

Jeff "Siege" Siegel -

Magical Spaces, Jeff “Siege” Siegel Quartet, CAP
Records
Brazilian Wish, Matt Finley
Minor Mutiny, Ryan Kisor, Columbia Records
Arthur Rhames Trio Live From Soundscape, Arthur Rhames, D.I.W. Records
A Place For Jazz, Lee Shaw Trio, Cadence Records
Little Friend, Lee Shaw Trio, Luvlee Records
Fifth House, New York Trio Project, Imaginary Records
Get Out of Town, Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson,
Imaginary Records
Triologue, Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson, Imaginary Records
Panorama, Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson with Valery
Ponomarev, Imaginary Records
Points of View, Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson, Imaginary Records
One of a Kind, Stvens, Siegel & Ferguson, Imaginary Records
Maya the Bee, Nancy Harrow and Sir Roland Hanna, Harbinger Records
Flying With the Comet, Second Sight, Sun Jump Records
Great Unknown, Jeff Marx, Naugual Records
Up Until Now, Mark Dziuba, Joobtone Records
Music from Paradise, Jeffrey Lohn, Daisy Records
Alique’s Song, Steve Geraci, Beat City Records
A Spell Like This, Katie Bowen, Eleven: Eleven Records
Humans Don’t Fly, Katie Bowen, Eleven Eleven Records
Moonlight and Mistletoe, Eileen Fulton, Eilful Productions
I Think About You, Eileen Fulton, Eilful Productions

JAROMIR HONZAK

JAROMÍR HONZÁK QUARTET -
A Question to All Your Answers
(2007)

JAROMÍR HONZÁK QUINTET - Present Past (2003)

JAROMÍR HONZÁK - Earth Life (2000)

JAROMÍR HONZÁK - Getting There Together (1995)

(as a sideman)
S'aight (2004), BP Music
Vladimír Václavek - Písně nepísně (2003), Indies Records
Iva Bittová a Čikori (2001), Indies Records
Petr Zelenka Trio + 1 - Mafiosi (2000), Cube-Metier
Pavla Milcová & Tarzan Pepé (1998), Indies Records
Iva Bittová - Vladimír Václavek - Bílé Inferno (1997),
Indies Records
Christian Rover Trio - New York Impressions (1995),
GWR

Photos

Bio

jeffmarxmusic.com
jaromirhonzak.com
jeffsiegeljazz.com

Czech/US Out unites three musicians of international stature in a collaboration born out of common musical interests and chemistry. After meeting together in 2007 in Siena, Italy - Jeff "Siege" Siegel and Jaromir Honzak decided to collaborate on a project with American tenor saxophonist Jeff Marx of Chicago. The result was the group's first tour in the Fall of 2008 in Germany and the Czech Republic. The group will be releasing it's first cd as a band this summer of 2009 featuring a live performance from Klub Antre, Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic. The band will reunite for a European tour this coming Fall '09 from November
12 - 22nd.

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JEFF MARX

Born and raised in Detroit, tenor saxophonist, Jeff Marx has been playing the horn since 1973 with his work showcased coast to coast and in Europe. From his early years in San Francisco, to playing with the greats in New York, Detroit and Chicago, Marx has left his mark on the world of jazz. His distinctive style has been compared to a combination of John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson.

Marx's interest in jazz began in Detroit while he was a young man. From his earliest recollection, jazz was his music of choice. Seeking to learn more, in the '70's Marx made it to Berkeley to study with Hal Stein on the West Coast. In Oakland and San Francisco the Jazz scene was hot and Marx played with greats like Eddie Henderson and Mark Levine.

Once jazz was in his blood, Marx went to New York for 14 years where he played with Reggie Workman, Steve Slagle, Guitarist Kevin McNeil, Donald Byrd, Ed Schuler, Jim Pepper, Gene Jackson, Ira Coleman, Santi DeBriano and Dave Stryker among others. For five years, he co-led in Second Sight with John Esposito, Jeff Siegel and Dave Douglas who was named Downbeat's "Musician of the year in 2,000."

Increased visibility led him to tour overseas where he played in the Cascais Portugal Jazz Fest and throughout Europe. In addition, Marx played at the Greenwich Jazz Festival and for Columbia College radio in New York. Although sad, he was honored to play for the National Radio memorial program for his former colleague, Jim Pepper.

In the '90's Chicago has been Jeff Marx's home. Most recently Marx played at the 2002 Detroit Jazz Festival. Between Chicago, Detroit, New York, Milwaukee, and Ann Arbor, Jeff has been busy with gigs at notable area clubs. The sound of Marx can be heard on his own CD, "Great Unknown", on Don Bennett's CD "Reaching for a Star" with Jessie Davis on Alto Sax and Malachi Thompson on trumpet, as well as on "Second Sight" by the group, Second Sight. Now you can hear Marx on Soluna Records label with his newest release, "Treading Air, Breathing Fire."

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JEFF “SIEGE” SIEGEL

Drummer Jeff “Siege” Siegel is leader of the Jeff “Siege” Siegel Quartet as well as co-leader of the Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson Trio and The New York Trio Project. He was a member of the Sir Roland Hanna Trio from 1994-1999. He studied drums with Freddie Waits, Barry Altschul and Akira Tana. He received his B.F.A. from City College in New York City, as well as his M.A. in Jazz from Queens College where he studied composition with Jimmy Heath. He is critically acclaimed in the October ‘92 edition of Modern Drummer magazine for his work on Ryan Kisor’s Columbia Records debut “Minor Mutiny”, a date for which Siegel was chosen by its producer Jack DeJohnette. He regularly performs throughout Europe at festivals, clubs and concerts. Siegel has conducted drums clinics throughout Germany as well as the U.S.

Siegel has also performed and/or recorded with Ron Carter, Kenny Burrell, Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnette, John Scofield, Ravi Coltrane, Dave Douglas, Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson, Frank Foster, David “Fathead” Newman, Lee Konitz, Frank Wess, Nick Brignola, J.R. Monterose, Lee Shaw, John Stubblefield, Arthur Rhames, Eric Person, Joanne Brackeen, Rufus Reid, Cecil McBee, Stefon Harris, Karl Berger, Richard Stoltzman, Romero Lubambo, Warren Bernhardt, Jay Clayton, Kurt Elling, Mose Allison, Sheila Jordan, Helen Merrill, Etta Jones, Carrie Smith, Grady Tate, Judi Silvano, Cecil Bridgewater, Johnny Coles, Terrell Stafford, Baikida Carroll, Valery Ponomarev, Wadada Leo Smith, Grahm Haynes, Steve Turre, Terrell Stafford, John Abercrombie, Claude “Fiddler” Williams, Howard Johnson, Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, Karole Armitage Dance Company with composer Jeffrey Lohn, Second Sight and several others. He received first prize in the International Grande Contest de Jazz, San Sebastian, Spain, as a member of the CCNY Jazz Quintet as well as third place for best soloist award.

Siegel is the jazz drumming instructor at both Western Connecticut State University, The State University of New York at New Paltz. He is head of the percussion departmen