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Craig McIver

"From the opening son-of-Max Roach drum essay you know this is a drummer's date. McIver, who is a well-rounded percussionist, follows that opener with the aptly-titled 'Run,' which is full of requisite fire and drive like a victorious 400 meter dash...This is a combustible, drum-proud date. McIver crisply addresses his kit and augments with marimba, tympani, and overdubbed electronics in a tasteful way; his music has an orchestrated quality and this is overall a very spirited release. Craig McIver certainly knows his way around the traps." - The Independent Ear

"Drummer Craig McIver has been making waves as the drummer of choice for a number of Philadelphia's finest including Odean Pope, Bobby Zankel, Khan Jamal and others...This is definitely a drummer's date. 'Can't Hide,' the opener is a well-developed drum solo that sets the tone for the rousing set to come. It segues into the hyper 'Run' with a tricky muscular head that gets the entire sextet charging. Saxophonist Ben Schacter is particularly inspired with a dynamic, energetic solo that reminds of fellow Philadelphian Odean Pope in its inspired intensity. (But be assured, Schacter is his own man.)

McIver is going for something a little different with this release. He intersperses various percussion solos and interludes throughout the program. The final three tracks form the 'Metronomic Suite' and are a nice trio of pieces with which to end the disc. Everyone is featured and Bobby Zankel guests on the final track 'Reflections Passing.' This is the best track on the disc and comes off as an odd, almost Sun Ra-ish type chart with its tympani, off-kilter rhythm, unusual voicings and melody line. I found myself returning often to this track.

McIver makes use of some judicious overdubbing (usually on marimba, tympani) which, with one exception sounds natural...this is one heck of a good record with first rate playing all around." - Cadence

"Craig McIver's debut recording opens with a four-and-a-half-minute drum solo, a one-man tribal assault that sets the stage for an idiosyncratic album of twisting, polyrhythmic original compositions...electrifying, as McIver - drum kit augmented with tympani, electronic strings and marimba - challenges his adventurous crew of Philadelphia musicians to keep up. The concluding 'Metronomic Suite' offers a different approach: It's more relaxed and melodic, but disarmingly off-kilter." - JazzTimes

"Craig McIver enters through the big door on the leader’s scene with a notorious departure...Inspired drummer and composer McIver’s new release has been thirstily anticipated by many of his fans. Here he besieges himself with first-rate musicians criminally grooving... On 'Paratriculas' saxophonist Ben Schachter and Craig McIver perform plying highhanded ascendances, eager tones, and fluid tom-toms with faultless phrasing to shape spectacular personal voices. Craig McIver’s playing is superb throughout the album...

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174
Album Review

Ben Schachter and Sung/Unsung: Nothingman

Read "Nothingman" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Philadelphia-area saxophonist Ben Schachter plays a wide range of reed instruments extremely well, although his primary voice is the tenor saxophone. He's been influenced by Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane, yet his burly tenor sound is clearly his own, and his approach is both original and personal. If the music on his self-produced Nothingman is any indication, Schachter deserves to be much better known.

Sung/Unsung is the name of Schachter's current band, which pivots on the interplay between Schachter and ...

223
Album Review

Ben Schachter & Sung/Unsung: Nothingman

Read "Nothingman" reviewed by Mark F. Turner


With a sharp edge that cuts on the side of dynamic playing and improvisation, Nothingman is the latest release by reedist and bandleader Ben Schachter. The Philadelphia-based musician has earned a reputation as one who treads clear of tepid jazz waters in favor of progressive and free flowing ones, as attested on his recent recordings Inside, Looking Out and Missing Beloved.

Schachter's new group Sung/Unsung is appropriately titled as he joined by highly accomplished (if not widely known) musicians--bassist Matthew ...

176
Album Review

Philadelphia Heritage Art Ensemble: Under The Bridge

Read "Under The Bridge" reviewed by AAJ Staff


If you think that the remainders and reminders of hard bop reside today within the music of Horace Silver, the keeper of the flame—and perhaps within that of very few others like Valery Ponomarev—think again. The jazzmen of Philadelphia, from which much of hard bop arose, never forgot it. In fact, they celebrate it...in concerts, in tributes, in writings, on radio and in schools.Fred Adams decided to concentrate all of these references into a single group, the Philadelphia ...

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Performance / Tour

Percussionist Craig McIver Quartet In Cheltenham Wed. April 2nd!

Percussionist Craig McIver Quartet In Cheltenham Wed. April 2nd!

Source: Jim Miller

The Jazz Bridge First Wednesdays Neighborhood Concerts Series at the Cheltenham Center for the Arts, 439 Ashbourne Road in Cheltenham PA, presents drummer Craig McIver and his quartet on Wednesday, April 2nd. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., tickets are $10/$5 for students, and are only available at the door. For info: 215-517-8337 or visit Jazz Bridge. Drummer Craig McIver has been making waves as the drummer of choice for a number of the region’s finest, including Odean Pope, Bobby Zankel, Khan ...

105

Performance / Tour

Jazz Bridge Presents Percussionist Craig McIver at the Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church on March 10th

Jazz Bridge Presents Percussionist Craig McIver at the Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church on March 10th

Source: Suzanne Cloud

Percussionist Craig McIver will be appearing at the Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church, 13 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave, Philadelphia, PA, on Thursday March 10th with his band featuring pianist Aaron Graves, bassist Mike Boone, and John Swana on EVI. One show: 7:30-9PM. Tickets: $10/$5 for students. No advance sales. Free Refreshments! For info: 215-517-8337 Hailed by JazzTimes, Jazz Review, and the Philadelphia Inquirer, Craig McIver is Philadelphia's premier drummer and composer: this will be a rare date to see him leading ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Crossing The Bridge 2

Self Produced
2019

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Nothingman

Ben-Jam Music
2004

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Under The Bridge

Dreambox Media
2001

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Videos

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