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>1.excerpts Press pages:
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"In
a period when mere imitation often masquerades as homage in jazz, it is encouraging
to find young musicians uncovering personal solutions through the use of
historical approaches. ... an excellent account of interpretive skills, ...
originals that display true personality." "What
I like about Pandelis Karayorgis's Trio is, their brand of quirky timing
walks a tightrope between swinging and not swinging ... Listening to them
can be like watching the tightrope wobble: thrilling because it's dangerous
as they flirt with disaster. Better to make music that plays for high stakes,
than to just play it sure and safe." "I
should say at the outset that Pandelis Karayorgis is one of my favorite pianists
- he takes the instrument one step beyond the innovations of Thelonious Monk
and Cecil Taylor, while keeping the former's sense of space and the latter's
dynamism and injecting a healthy dose of chromatic lyricism reminiscent of
Andrew Hill. ... the whole thing swings like hell. ... "Centennial"
- definitely my selection for Best Ballad of the year, in case anyone asks
- looks at the Duke's "Frustration" through a melodic/harmonic
kaleidoscope, with ravishing results. "...
Thirteen impressive compositions ... Karayorgis' ... methods are surprisingly
original." "Karayorgis
executes with subtle strength, methodically picking out his notes with impeccable
precision and intriguing logic. ... McBride meditatively interrogates the
compositions with penetrating profundity. ... These two musicians steer an
inner-directed course yet produce music that is capable of reaching out and
touching the listener. Their communicative skills go both ways." "Karayorgis
creates a very personal, if not private musical space which warrants very
attentive listening, indeed." "On
Red Skies Karayorgis is magnificent, and Gregorio weaves some breathtaking
lines with him on clarinet. A fascinating disc by three master musicians." "...
the pianist gets to the essence of each piece without fanfare or musical
acrobatics but with impeccable attention to detail. Karayorgis' roots can
be traced to Monk, with whom the former shares an affinity to follow his
own muse, regardless of prevailing trends. ... Karayorgis is the dominant
voice. He exudes a confidant individuality that marks his performances as
genuinely original. ... He boasts a technical mastery that is never showy
but instead used to advance his ideas. ... The results satisfy uniquely as
genuine artistic expression." "
... Karayorgis is a pianist not to be underestimated; ... He seems to think
his way through each solo, making weird but valid deductions from the basic
harmonic scheme. ... The focus here is on Karayorgis, and anyone who enjoys
jazz piano would be wise to hear what he has to say." "
... As a work of restrained beauty and subtle textures and colors, it is
nearly a masterpiece. heartbreakingly beautiful. This [In Time]was an auspicious
meeting of two young minds who had already in 1994 established their own
voices on a burgeoning jazz improv scene." "An
enthusiastic eureka! should be the natural and inevitable response when listening
to "Heart and Sack". ... The inner swing and the coolness of this
music are so great that the trio ... sounds more like tomorrow than like
yesterday." "...
a solid jazz sense of forward motion, courtesy [of] the fine drummer Randy
Peterson and the superlative bassist Nate McBride ... Karayorgis, ... achieves
a synthesis that is delightful and very much his own. ... This trio has found
something new to say, and new ways to say it, in the well-traveled territory
of the piano trio. This is an excellent disc, highly recommended." "...
a strikingly personal approach ... [they] set forth to reinvent the piano
trio. ... Heart and Sack is highly recommended."
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| "A
key figure in Boston's under-40 generation of adventurous improvisers, pianist
Karayorgis has released several albums displaying a novel renovation of concepts
developed by Lennie Tristano and Thelonious Monk. ... Be warned, this music
doesn't reveal all its secrets on first hearing." Art Lange, Pulse "Pianist
Pandelis Karayorgis is a brave soul who has ... fashioned a radical
sound of his own ... definitely original ... undoubtedly worth the ride."
Karayorgis has evolved his own signature
that is more than the sum of its parts. His Monkish take on Victor Young's
"I don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You," which he first
recorded in 1998 with Guillermo Gregorio, shows a propensity for reinvention
that is inspiring. "Really
recommendable ... It's a masterpiece[In Time]." "...
spicy solo work ... Karayorgis's encompassing piano work twists and turns
in offbeat directions ... this is an independent collection worth seeking."
"...
memorable performances that demand -and reward-concentration." "Karayorgis,
who's made several nifty records in the last couple of years has a lot of
Monk plunk in his concept, but he's flexible and individual, conveying a
broad historical sense at the same time." "I
have no idea who this is but it's really very clever, very refreshing."
"Melodic
bits extracted from the great planetary arioso ... this music soberly embraces
our questions about the world." "Karayorgis
shapes complex statements with admirable discipline, using dynamics, silence,
and density to great effect." "...
the pianist makes every note count ..." "Karayorgis
is an accomplished improviser who has successfully melded the quirkiness
and wit of Monk with Taylor's restless pianism, an artist who explores the
inexhaustible timbral possibilities of the instrument. Headed towards a singular
voice, stimulating, at times surprising, and certainly original." "The
improvising is atonal and highly charged. Sounds like improvised Webern;
Maneri and Karayorgis have found a cool, convincing way of doing it. Thoughtful
and impressive." "A
quietist gem of concentration and elision. Well worth exploring." "Pandelis
Karayorgis appears to be a profoundly original pianist whose touch is full
of nuance ... All three renew and rejuvenate this instrumentation that is
as old as the world (of jazz) and stand out as a refreshing change."
"...
wonderfully insane piano with Karayorgis heading directly for the edge, steering
clear of the tried and true. ... you should discover this gem for yourself."
"...
chops to spare and a less-is-more attitude ... strong, and even original."
"Karayorgis
is very much his own man, using quirky lines, sudden bursts of dissonance,
and soulfoul melodies, always in fresh combinations. ... if you love music
where chances are taken and cliches are scrupulously avoided, you will find
much to admire..." | ||||
