The Jazz Passengers
New York City, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1987 | INDIE | AFM
Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Reunions have become a requisite aspect of the music business, though the end results can vary in quality. Reunited, The Jazz Passengers first recording in twelve years, is a stellar example of this phenomenon. Picking up where they left off, this vivacious studio session juxtaposes mellifluous crooning, adventurous post-bop and stylistic eclecticism with irrepressible charm and sophisticated humor. Their all-inclusive embrace of multiple genres yields a hodgepodge of uncanny originals and surprising covers, executed with palpable enthusiasm. - All About Jazz
How about a second shout of joy in the jazz world? How about a laugh and tear, yup both, on a recording that also features world-class improvisation? A Radiohead cover that actually kills? Whaddaya say to some pop-star cameos that, amazingly, do not overshadow the band itself and, instead, just highlight how sublime the less-than-knowns are?
What’s that I hear? You say “Yes”? Then the happy new recording by The Jazz Passengers is for you!
Reunited is a nugget of gold for jazz fans—or for anyone who digs off-beat joy in music. The Jazz Passengers emerged in the wake of the Lounge Lizards (John Lurie’s “faux-jazz” group of the early 1980s)—founded by reed player Roy Nathanson and trombonist Curtis Fowlkes. It has been a round dozen years since the group recorded, with the players (including Bill Ware on vibes, Brad Jones on bass, drummer E.J. Rodriguez, and special guests like Marc Ribot on guitar, Deborah Harry and Elvis Costello on vocals) plenty busy on their own. - Pop Matters
Discography
Reunited, 2010
Individually Twisted, 1997
In Love, 1994
Implement Yourself, 1990
Photos
Bio
The Jazz Passengers are a venerable NYC-based ensemble still in their original incarnation, with Roy Nathanson, Curtis Fowlkes, Brad Jones, Bill Ware, Sam Bardfeld and E.J. Rodriguez.
The infectious onstage witty repartee and undeniable joie de vivre of the Jazz Passengers has perhaps contributed to a perception of the group being less than serious. Here is a serious group whose playing is also highly accessible – and wasn’t jazz supposed to be like this? Reunited, as with all past Passengers recordings, features a blend of group vocals as well as showcased guest vocals, with trombonist Curtis Fowlkes leading the way. Along with Grady Tate, he’s got to be one of the best instrumentalists that also possess a killer voice.
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