Sound Assembly

STATS Rank: 12,390 Fans: 1 Views: 1,891

Primary Instrument: Band/ensemble/orchestra

On the NYC scene since 2000, Sound Assembly is a 17-piece collective of New York's finest players featuring the original compositions of David Schumacher and JC Sanford. Schumacher and Sanford strive for organic structures, extended forms, and motivic development through a colorful palette of orchestration. They intertwine improvised and composed elements in their work to create a natural, seamless evolution of material. It is a combination full of excitement and intrigue that will fulfill the most critical and demanding jazz audience.

Sound Assembly members, including drummer John Hollenbeck, pianist Deanna Witkowski, trumpeter John Bailey, trombonists Mark Patterson and Alan Ferber, and reedmen Chris Bacas, Ben Kono, and Dan Willis bring a vast range of experience to the group. The talents of these members showcase the unmistakable sound, style, and nuance of co-leaders Schumacher and Sanford.

Last Updated: May 11, 2009

“Taking the angular bravado of Charles Mingus and re-imagining it for the 21st century, this 17-piece jazz orchestra from New York brings it full-force on their album of original, unique compositions. With stab-tone sectionals and blazing solos, “Edge of the Mind” displays an energetic big band who has evolved to a place where they can make musical violence sound romantic.” - CD Baby (where we are an Editor’s Pick for Jazz)

“These are in essence thought-provoking works that commands one's unwavering awareness and consideration. If due diligence is given, the rewards can be sizable…It's an ample meal… easily digested by epicures.” - All About Jazz

“These guys are carving out their own territory in the realm of the modern jazz orchestra. The music is full of lights and shadows, twists and turns, and affords plenty of surprises. Definitely worth checking out!” - Jim McNeely

“Their band and their writing combine to make a valuable contribution to our field. May they continue and prosper!” - Bob Brookmeyer

“The orchestration is on point. Sounds great!” - Branford Marsalis

“An intriguing, varied and demanding package, to which this orchestra responds, in typical New York fashion, with awesome fire and precision” - Irish Times

“The music that the Schumacher/Sanford Sound Assembly creates is intelligent, vital, very well-played and most assuredly good for your mind and soul” - Hartford Courant

“...pushes the envelope, finding yet more new places where big band jazz can go... nothing short of fascinating. This is very cerebral music. Yet it's also breathtakingly beautiful in places for many, many reasons...” - Lucid Culture

“This is a natural and organic record...thick, exciting, haunting, and frequently audacious. Sound Assembly has forged a brave set of numbers with Edge of the Mind (and) created something special.” - Blogcritics Magazine

“This large ensemble produces an exciting modern jazz sound propelled by intelligent charts and flawless execution by a first-rate cast of musicians.” - Ejazz News

“All around, this is one of the richest albums I've listened to in 2009, & gets a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from me. I expect (& you should too) to hear a lot more from these folks... they're ON IT!” - Dick Metcalf aka Rotcod Zzaj

“Following the rules of the past but not swallowing the dictates blindly, this 17 piece jazz orchestra...knows how to kick out the jams and do it for contemporary ears. Traditional and forward thinking are never far away. A real treat for big sound deprived ears.” - Midwest Record

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