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Matt Criscuolo

Matt Criscuolo, a native Bronx, New Yorker, comes out strong with his second release, Lotus Blossom, an outstanding follow-up to his debut release, “Streets of New York”, which spent some well-deserved time on the JazzWeek top fifty chart in 2004. He is again on his way to the jazz week chart at a current position of “chartbound.” Accompanied by a great lineup of musicians: Larry Willis on piano, Phil Bowler on bass, Steve Davis on trombone, Eric McPherson on drums and Ray Mantilla on percussion Criscuolo is establishing himself as a mainstay in the jazz genre.

Many saxophonist, take the approach of complete domination within a release. Criscuolo takes the approach of a team presentation. His purposeful intent is to focus on a well-rounded project that is poignant, emotive and thought provoking. Of the 10 songs, three are Criscuolo’s originals that display his compositional talents and thought provoking lyrical approach.

Matthew studied at Manhattan School of Music, and has performed and/or recorded with Artt Frank, David Murray, Etta Jones, Rich Perry, Harold Dank, Gerry Mulligan and many more.

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Album Review

Matt Criscuolo: Headin’ Out

Read "Headin’ Out" reviewed by Alberto Bazzurro


Un ben amalgamato, efficiente quartetto con la chitarra di Tony Purrone (suoi anche due dei nove temi in scaletta, “Karma at Dharma" e “R 510 Select") come strumento armonico, firma questo nuovo album (dovrebbe trattarsi del sesto) di Matt Criscuolo. Non aspettatevi novità sconvolgenti, o tratti di particolare originalità, ma una musica del tutto onesta suonata con bel piglio, senza troppo indulgere in certo posticcio bon ton e plastificazioni varie che non di rado imbellettano lavori di questo ambito, sì, ...

6
Album Review

Matt Criscuolo: Blippity Blat

Read "Blippity Blat" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Matt Criscuolo is a restaurateur in Connecticut, but also a veteran alto saxophonist and not just a hobbyist with spare finances to record albums. With his fourth outing as a leader, he once again aligns some of the finest jazz artisans such as, pianist Larry Willis and French horn maestro, John Clark. Criscuolo possess a unique tone that often resonates with an inherent stereo sound, bridging a touch of lower register warmth with the alto sax's altissimo register. He combines ...

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Album Review

Matt Criscuolo: Lotus Blossom

Read "Lotus Blossom" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Alto saxophonist Matt Criscuolo's sound strikes me as quite distinctive on his second release, Lotus Blossom. The opening title tune is Billy Strayhorn's lovely, wistful composition, featuring Criscuolo dueting with pianist Larry Willis. The altoist's tone has a tart tang, like a drink of lemonade a wee bit short--bracingly so--on the sugar. The underrated veteran saxman Frank Morgan comes to mind in terms of tone, as well as in terms of attitude, with an energetic, fresh-sounding bop mood as the ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Headin’ Out

Jazzeria
2015

buy

Blippity Blat

Self Produced
2014

buy

Lotus Blossom

M Records
2005

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