FivePlay Jazz Quintet
Berkeley, California, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
…this CD has become my “Go To” music when I’m at my computer…It’s beautifully paced. Every tune takes me someplace new. That’s one of the reasons I can listen to it repeatedly. It’s always fresh. - fiveplayjazz
It is always such a rare pleasure as a reviewer to run across a recording that surprises me by exceeding my expectations: the FivePlay Jazz Quintet release is a perfect example. I was unaware of any of the performers – who apparently are veteran Bay-Area musicians – and hey I put the thing on and I’m blown away. These cats can really play! Led by guitarist Tony Corman (a former saxophone player who had to switch instruments due to a health problem) and his pianist wife Laura Klein – who write the majority of the material, the band also consists of a fine rhythm section – solid and sensitive bassist Paul Smith and creative drummer Alan Hall – whose tight interplay is an important component of the group – and sax and clarinet star Dave Tidball who is an absolute knock out. This is modern straight-ahead jazz that bristles with energy (and from the West Coast?). The band members have played together for several years and it shows in their sharp interaction. This music is so vibrant and fun that I hesitate to try to describe the songs lest I diminish the many qualities I enjoy. But let me say that as good as the playing is – and these players are all very good – the songwriting is equally enjoyable. From the dazzling opening number – “Off the Ground” through the waltzing “Flight of the Gazorple,” the hard bop boogie of “He’e’s Boogie” (love Klein’s piano work here and throughout – she is a real gem), the Brazilian-flavored “Once Upon a Time,” the Latin-esque “Indigone,” bossa-fied “Amor Fati,” mysterious “Fever Dream,” shifting pop tune “Bright Golden Sunshine,” hypnotically-beautiful “In a Grain of Sand” and album ending treat – the “fairly rambunctious” “Sidesteppin’ Blues” the listener will have a hard time sitting still. No weak tunes in this bunch, I plan on keeping this one in play to absorb all the nuances. Highly recommended. - jazzchicago
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Reviews
…this CD has become my “Go To” music when I’m at my computer…It’s beautifully paced. Every tune takes me someplace new. That’s one of the reasons I can listen to it repeatedly. It’s always fresh.
— Bud Spangler, drummer/jazz radio personality/producer
The music on the FivePlay CD is excellent and so are the players… My favorites are “Off The Ground,” the boogie tune, and easing out with the “Blues”. It is really hard to pick favorites and leave out so much music and musicianship. Dave sounds great on everything. And Laura, what can I say. Everyone is so COOL. - fiveplayjazz.com
Discography
First CD Mar 2009: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/FivePlayJazzQuintet
“I love it!” — Melanie Berzon, Program Director, KCSM Radio
“The CD is wonderful…HARD WORK FROM ALL OF YOU…YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF YOUR RESPECTIVE INPUTS…!! ..BEST TO ALL” — Bobby Paunetto, Latin Jazz great
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Second CD currently being mixed, schedules for Valentines Day 2011
Photos
Bio
Laura Klein (piano/composer): Laura grew up in New York City, and studied music at SUNY Buffalo and at the Berklee College of Music. Along with Tony Corman, she formed the three-horned band Triceratops, which featured their original compositions. Laura has performed with her own trios (including the great drummers Joe Hunt and Benny Barth), in a duo setting with vibraphonist Ted Wolff, vocalists Jenny Ferris and Ed Reed, Rudy Salvini Big Band, John Dankworth and the San Francisco Symphony, and many others.
Tony Corman (guitar/composer): Tony comes from the Boston area. He graduated from the Berklee College of Music with a B.A. in saxophone performance. He appeared and recorded with Full Faith and Credit big band, the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Bay Area Jazz Composer’s Orchestra, and Celia Malheiros. He played on, and was an arranger/composer for the recordings Triceratops, Three Tenors No Opera, and vocalist Jenny Ferris’s Day In, Day Out. He switched to playing guitar in 2002 (owing to focal dystonia), and since then has been playing with his own trio, Crotty, Corman and Phipps, and composing and arranging for big bands.
Dave Tidball (woodwinds/composer): Born in Cardiff, Wales, Dave played and recorded in London with Turning Point. Upon moving to Boston, MA, he formed the group Minotaur, which featured his own compositions. Since relocating to the Bay Area, he has played and recorded with Triceratops, Three Tenors No Opera, the great vocalist Paula West, and his own trio, Threedom. Dave teaches music in the Oakland public schools and has a busy freelance playing schedule.
Alan Hall (drums): Alan grew up in San Jose, and spent some time in Boston, playing and teaching at the Berklee College of Music. Highlights of Alan’s extensive resume include performing and recording with Eddie Harris, Paul McCandless, Billy Childs, Kenny Werner, Triceratops, Rebecca Parris, and many others. Recently Alan has been playing with Cirque du Soleil in NYC. He teaches at the JazzSchool in Berkeley, CA, and gives clinics and workshops at festivals, colleges and music stores throughout North America.
Paul Smith (bass): Paul has been playing professionally since his teens. In 1970, he joined the acclaimed Moacir Santos group, where he met his future wife, percussionist and vocalist Sheila Smith. Paul and Sheila had a group for many years, and recorded four CD’s together. Paul has performed and recorded with Mark Levine, Willie Bobo, and numerous other artists. He currently records and tours nationally with Dan Hicks.
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