Primary Instrument: Bass
Michael Herring's Vertigo featuring David Binney
The “unusual instrumental colours, carefully composed rhythmic structures and catchy-but-offbeat melodies” (J.D. Constidine, The Globe and Mail) of Michael Herring’s Vertigo have been amped-up by the addition of New York saxophonist David Binney, enabling Vertigo to transcend standard jazz fare. Binney, called “something brand-new “ a wind stirring up the status quo of the current jazz scene” (Thomas Conrad), adds the fire of the Downtown scene to Vertigo’s mix of groove-driven composed and improvised elements. Herring’s compositions for Vertigo are “forthright, well-organized ventures with tight horn arrangements, ensemble colors and rhythmic buoyancy” (Jay Collins, SIGNAL to NOISE), and naturally possess the voice of the younger Downtown scene. While Herring tips his hat to Dave Holland, Scott Colley, Drew Gress, David Binney and Chris Potter, the compositions have much of the classic sixties sextet sound about them, respectively recalling Wayne Shorter and Booker Little at their height “ an engaging and freshly innovative blend is the happy result. Vertigo has made a splash on the North American Jazz scene with it’s debut release, “Coniferous Revenge”, featuring eleven of Herring’s originals. A collaboration born at downtown Toronto’s Rex Jazz and Blues Bar in front of a sold out crowd and refined in the studio, this album blends the excitement of new found synergy with focused performances. “Coniferous Revenge” was picked as one of the Top 5 Debut Albums of the year by All About Jazz New York, and was selected on many other best of the year lists, including Irwin Block’s at the Montreal Gazette and Geoff Chapman’s at the Toronto Star (“one of the most exciting and interesting [albums] to arrive this year… the boss's bass soars and swoops and the overall impact is tremendous). Vertigo is comprised of some of Toronto's most exciting young jazz musicians: Quinsin Nachoff - tenor saxophone and clarinets (“one of the truly bright jazz minds hereabouts” Mark Miller - The Globe and Mail), William Carn - trombone (“William Carn is a charter member of the impressive new generation of players that is making an impact.” Geoff Chapman - Toronto Star), Don Scott - guitar, Nick Fraser - drums (“Fraser not so much plays the drums as hurls himself whole body and soul against skin and metal…truly talented.” Bill Stunt - CBC Radio), and Michael Herring (double bass)
Last Updated: March 7, 2008
“one of the most exciting and interesting [albums] to arrive this year… The ensemble passages are all rich in texture, catchy hooks relieve the aura of intellectual rigour, the boss's bass soars and swoops and the overall impact is tremendous” Geoff Chapman - Toronto Star
“[a] Toronto bassplayer with a penchant for contemporary grooves, colours and energy… cutting-edge but accessible sounds inspired by New York's downtown jazz innovators” Doug Fischer - The Ottawa Citizen
“Michael Herring has established himself as one of the most creative musicians on the Canadian scene... A triumph!” Joseph Blake - Times-Colonist
“..smartly arranged set of 11 originals for sextet” Downbeat - John Ephland
“quite an auspicious debut.” Laurence Donohue-Greene - Managing Editor - AllAboutJazz New York
