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East West Quintet

East West Quintet - don't be fooled by the name. This genre-bending ensemble from Brooklyn, New York, is more likely to rock than to swing, utilizes both acoustic and electronic instruments, and is commonly found performing with not five but six band members. Formed in 2003 as a hard-bop ensemble in the mold of the Cannonball Adderley Quintet, the group quickly changed course, incorporating musical elements from their early punk, rock, and hip-hop experiences. Through years of experimentation and growth, the band has come into its own, divorcing itself from being jazz-rock, rock-jazz or any other clumsy musical description. Simply stated, East West Quintet is a compellingly powerful band that lies outside of conventional boundaries and appeals to listeners of all kinds.

East West Quintet has been featured on NPR's Jazz Set with Dee Dee Bridgewater, NPR's Open Mic, and on Jazz and Indie Radio nationwide.

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256
Album Review

East West Quintet: Vast

Read "Vast" reviewed by Lyn Horton


Apparent in the Brooklyn-based East West Quintet's Vast is the way the music teeters between colors, tunes, dynamics, rhythms and abstractions. Varying degrees of crescendos and decrescendos transform the mixtures of melodic temperament from peaceful to anthem-like, from quickly paced to mellifluously slow. That the band members play a multiplicity of different instruments is crucial; they take turns weaving solos throughout the pieces to grow textures that have highs, lows and indisputable middle ground. Except for trumpeter Phil Rodriguez, featured ...

194
Album Review

East West Quintet: Vast

Read "Vast" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Enthusiastic youth coupled with solid musicianship and strong compositions offer the winning edge by this Brooklyn, New York-based ensemble that started in 2003 as a bop unit inspired by Cannonball Adderley. Time marches on and now this quintet delves into that opaque line that teeters between jazz-rock and jazz-fusion. Recorded to two-inch tape, the band projects a massive wall of sound, especially during the driving and rhythmically forceful pieces. It's a judicious representation of the artists' distinct stylizations that casts ...

154
Album Review

East West Quintet: The Brooklyn E.P.

Read "The Brooklyn E.P." reviewed by John Barron


The combination of musical integrity and youthful vigor can be a potent force of positive energy in an often down-trodden, stagnant jazz industry. The East West Quintet plays with the kind of resonating exuberance that is refreshing and hopeful. On The Brooklyn E.P., saxophonist Dylan Heaney, guitarist Simon Kafka, pianist Mike Cassedy, bassist Benjamin Campbell and drummer Jordan Perlson create an all original set of progressive, endearing jazz.

With the exception of Perlson, all the members of East West Quintet ...

184
Album Review

East West Quintet: Unusual Customs

Read "Unusual Customs" reviewed by AAJ Staff


The East West Quintet plays hard bop for the 21st Century, combining solid swing with smart writing, assured improvising, and a tight band sound. Unusual Customs is the group's debut CD, and it's a good one.

The East West Quintet's strongest suit is its rhythm section. Bassist Ben Campbell and drummer Matt Slocum lay down a comfortable carpet of cookin' motion and movement. Even when the improvisation flags, they keep the music churning ahead with reliable swing. Even ...

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194

Recording

Brooklyn's East West Quintet Releases New CD, Vast

Brooklyn's East West Quintet Releases New CD, Vast

Source: Michael Bloom Media Relations

East West Quintet - don't be fooled by the name. This genre-bending ensemble from Brooklyn, NY is more likely to rock than to swing, utilizes both acoustic and electronic instruments, and is commonly found performing with not five but six band members.

Formed in 2003 as a hard-bop ensemble in the mold of the Cannonball Adderley Quintet, the group quickly changed course, incorporating musical elements from their early punk, rock, and hip-hop experiences. Through years of experimentation and growth, the ...

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Vast

Native Language
2009

buy

The Brooklyn E.P.

Self Produced
2007

buy

Unusual Customs

Unknown label
2005

buy

The Brooklyn EP

Self Produced
0

buy

Vast Pt. 2

From: Vast
By East West Quintet

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