Trumpet/flugelhornist Paul Tynan and baritone saxist Aaron Lington create a lava thick front line for a vintage Hammond B3 outing [on BC4] with Tony Genge/B3, Jake Hanlon/g and Terry O’Mahoney/dr. The horns create a funky boogaloo as on “Un Petit Peu De Gras” and shuffle off to Buffalo on “L’s Groove” with finger licking picking by Hanlon. Lington’s tone fills the room with his rich sound on “Nostalgic” and goes bel canto on the ballad “Woodside.” The rhythm team snaps and sizzles on the bluesy bopper “Pipe Down” and Genge pops the clutch into overdrive on”Lower Sackville Blues.” Musical comfort food to let you sit and savor for awhile! —George Harris, www.jazzweekly.com
Trumpeter Paul Tynan and baritone saxophonist Aaron Lington first met more than fifteen years ago when they were grad students at the University of North Texas in Denton. After gigging separately for a few years, they formed the Bicoastal Collective about a decade ago and have been playing and recording together ever since. This could reasonably be called the Binational Collective, as four of the five musicians on Chaper Four are Canadian, with Lington the lone American. He lives in California, Tynan in Nova Scotia, some 3,800 miles to the east. On this "nostalgic" studio session (also the name of one of the seven tracks), the front-liners are reinforced, "collectively," by organist Tony Genge, guitarist Jake Hanlon and drummer Terry O'Mahoney. The word nostalgic is used to denote the album's rear-view character, which, instead of "back to the future" is more akin to "forward to the past," focusing as it does on the sort of bop-induced themes popularized in the '50s and '60s by such labels as Blue Note, Prestige and others. With Genge on board, it hearkens back to the heyday of Jimmy Smith, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Jack McDuff, Don Patterson, Jimmy McGriff and their contemporaries. Even though all of the songs on Chapter Four were written by Lington (four) or Tynan, they are designed to rekindle dormant memories of the free- wheeling grooves laid down by those Hammond B3 masters of years gone by. They are, in Lington's words, however, "conceptually modern. The musicians, the harmonies, the rhythmic concept and the arrangements were all conceived without setting any boxes for ourselves." That is clear from the outset, as Lington's "Un Petit Peu de Gras" sets a bluesy compass on which Genge shows his mettle with a sure-handed opening solo. "Nostalgic," Lington writes, is a bow to the Golden Age of American songwriting (Porter, Berlin and the like), while Tynan's even-tempered "L's Groove" was written not for Lington but for Tynan's daughter, Linnea. "Woodside," named for a community near Halifax, is a genial ballad with expressive solos by Lington, Tynan and Genge. "Lower Sackville Blues," a last-minute addition, is welcome for a number of reasons, one of which is that it expands the album's playing time to fifty-eight minutes. More to the point, it's a taut, fast-moving vehicle that sets the stage neatly for Tynan's closing numbers, "Pipe Down" and "Metaphor," the last based on Miles Davis' bop classic, "Four." Individually or collectively, these are five first-class musicians, and their expertise and rapport are explicitly manifest on every page of Chapter Four. Let us hope the book has not been closed on the Collective, and that there are more chapters yet to come. —Jack Bowers, All About Jazz, May 31, 2014
PAUL TYNAN & AARON LINGTON/Bicoastal Collective Chapter Four: At the very least, this set is going to ping the atavistic genes in anyone that ever dug the peppy, poppy sound of greasy organ jazz bands. While the sax/trumpet duo still leads the way, they give equal time to their fellow post boppers to step up and take you back to the day. Insanely tasty and on the mark without feeling like an homage or other such silliness, this is a fine showcase for players what am [sic]. Fun stuff that's sure to delight. —Midwest Record The third installment in the exciting and energetic Bicoastal Collective’s oeuvre, simply entitled Chapter Three, maintains the same combination of memorable compositions and engaging improvisations that characterized the first two records. Co-led by Antigonish (Nova Scotia)-based trumpeter Paul Tynan and San Franciscan baritone saxophonist Aaron Lington, the sextet works through six originals, each with its own unique flavor, yet all solidly in the mainstream post-bop tradition. The high point of this delightful album is the cinematic, Tynan-penned “Painting.” This intriguing piece, filled with dark, lilting tones and subtle, Eastern accents, demonstrates the camaraderie between the ensemble members, as well as their prowess as soloists. Tynan’s clean mellow horn radiates nocturnesque vibes, especially when buoyed by the electrical and ethereal pairing of guitar and Fender Rhodes. Vancouver-born and Cleveland-settled Ashley Summers’ lyrical and sinewy bass brings a mystical element to the tune. Meanwhile, Lington’s mordant and intricate baritone flirts with freer styles. Lington’s own bluesy “Folklike” features Chicagoan Dan Murphy’s soulful and gritty keys and Salt Lake City native Corey Christensen’s tight, Jimi Hendrix-inspired guitar. Tynan’s burnished trumpet blows over the simmering rhythms like a cool breeze. Christensen brings a strong sense of soulful harmony to the atmospheric “Tgok,” while Murphy’s bright and shimmering Fender Rhodes help enhance the fusion-esque groove of this hypnotic ballad. Murphy’s tight and intricate solo on the spirited “Stat” unfolds over fellow Chicago denizen Jon Deitemyer’s galvanizing drum work. Deitemyer exhibits his elegant and reserved touch with the quiet whispers of the brushes on Lington’s languid “Emergence,” anchoring the group’s orchestral sounds. Elsewhere Lington’s mellifluous and sophisticated baritone on his, vaguely Latin “Zephyr” enhances the romantic mood set by Summers’ deeply passionate and resonant pizzicato notes. This stimulating disc strikes a satisfying a balance between accessibility and innovation. ––Hrayr Attarian, www.chicagojazz.com
Paul Tynan & Aaron Lington: Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Three (2011 [2012], OA2): Trumpet and baritone sax, respectively, the collective a sextet with Rhodes (Dan Murphy), guitar (Corey Christiansen), bass [Ashley Summers], and drums [Jon Deitemyer]; third album together, recorded in "flyover" territory in Indiana. Smart postbop, nice attention to detail. —-Tom Hull, Jazz Prospecting, Jan 2013 Blazing unison lines open this high-energy collection of original [sextet] music. The razor-sharp focus of trumpeter Paul Tynan and baritone saxophonist Aaron Lington, both co-leaders and composers for the disc, is quickly revealed on the opening track "Folklike." The music for their third installment of the Bicoastal Collective may be far removed from the Donald Byrd/Pepper Adams idea of a trumpet/baritone front line, but no less engaging. Lington and Tynan both write with a lyrical flair and an awareness for meaty solo space that is eagerly devoured. Both leaders solo exceptionally, especially on Tynan's waltz "Tgok" and Lington's swinging "Zephyr." Guitarist Corey Christiansen steals the show with blistering, distorted phrases on "Stat." Dan Murphy on Rhodes, Ashley Summers on bass and drummer Jon Deitemyer contribute fervently to this dynamic release. —-John Barron, www.thejazzword.blogspot.com
PAUL TYNAN & AARON LINGTON/Bicoastal Collective Chapter Three: Here's a post bop set with it's own special sauce that's going to sneak up and catch you from behind. With a veneer that feels like a minimalist vibe, it's anything but. Turns out this is a sly, contemporary blowing date. Surrounding themselves with improvisers that don't normally play together but find the common ground to click here, this set of originals has what it takes to make you pay attention to something new and different without thinking twice. Snazzy, jazzy and right in the pocket, it's adventurous without being too left leaning, but hip enough to keep the hipsters satisfied. Slice it anyway you want, this is a solid set of tasty, contemporary jazz with accent on blowing front and center. Well done. —-Midwest Record Entertainment "The "BiCoastal..." recordings are each of them truly creative. The writing, the performances by all...great stuff." —-Ron Pelletier, KCSM 91.1 FM
On [Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Two] the piano is replaced by guitar, and Aaron Lington in the "tenor chair" is sporting a baritone. He's got a rude, rich sound on the instrument that plays well off the delicacy of the rest of the 5tet. The heart of the recording is "The Ravenspurn Collection," a suite of six English folk tunes arranged anew by [Lington]. This suite is based on Ralph Vaughan Williams's composition "Six Studies in English Folksong for Cello and Piano," but rather than a jazz arrangement of the Vaughan Williams pieces, [Lington] has gone back to the root materials to find vehicles for improvisation. Yet despite the Celtic sources, Tynan and Lington and compatriots come up with a wonderful and totally American jazz sound, and it makes [Chapter Two] a solid mainstream set based on some sweet melodic improvisation. —-Phillip McNally, Cadence - Jan-Feb-Mar 2011, Vol. 37, Nos. 1-2-3, p. 271
Trumpeter Paul Tynan and baritone saxophonist Aaron Lington met while both men were students at North Texas State (home to one of the major college jazz studies programs) in the late 1990s. Their second release together, with guitarist Scott Sorkin, bassist John Shifflett and drummer Jason Lewis, has an unusual centerpiece: Lington's adaptations of English folk tunes arranged by classical composer Ralph Vaughn Williams as "Six Studies in English Folksong for Cello and Piano," though because of changes in key, tempos and the length of certain phrases (while retaining most of the melodies), he retitled them as "The Ravenspurn Collection." The opening selection, "Lovely on the Water," is reshaped into a driving intense blues with relatively calm solos by Tynan and Sorkin bracketing Lington's furious Pepper Adams-like baritone. The hymn-like sound of "The Lady and the Dragoon" should come as no surprise, as Vaughan Williams wrote a number of sacred works and hymns during his long career; Lington's majestic baritone and Tynan's subdued flugelhorn, with the closing phrase incorporating the traditional melody "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus." The up tempo "As I Walked Over London Bridge" provides a startling contrast, with sparkling solos in a decidedly post-bop setting. The music throughout this enjoyable CD keeps revealing new facets with each hearing. 4 1/2 Stars. —-Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Trumpeter Paul Tynan and saxophonist Aaron Lington on this first of hopefully many releases of their Bicoastal Collective, a group formed from the relationship forged at the University of North Texas in the late 1990s. Despite living many time zones apart, Tynan and Lington seem to be neighbors in their love of heady jazz, as the tracks on this album display their talents as both modern composers and as strong mainstream improvisers. Counterpoint and lush voicings are replete throughout and the term “collective” applies not only to the egalitarian treatment of the group at large, but also to their modern use of early-jazz improvisational technique. A fine instance of Tynan and Lington employing said technique is heard during the fourth movement of Tynan’s seven-movement Story of Langston Suite, his musical autobiography of the influences that have led him to his current position as associate professor of jazz studies at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. Tynan’s compositional pedigree from the big band program at North Texas is in full view, as his writing for ten instruments often makes them sound like twenty; and the smoothness with which one section of a tune flows to another is so well conceived that it is at times difficult for the casual listener to keep track of where they have been from section to section or tune to tune. Nonetheless, while this is an album that could be enjoyed for its surface prettiness, like most of the best jazz, it requires multiple hearings to unlock its true beauty. —-Adam Gaines, Professor of Jazz Trumpet, University of Wisconsin; ITG Journal, June 2010 (Vol. 34, No. 4)
Based upon a musical and personal friendship forged while studying at North Texas State University, Nova Scotia-‐based trumpeter Paul Tynan and San Jose-‐based baritone saxophonist Aaron Lington formed the Bicoastal Collective, a tentet composed of players from locales like the Bay Area, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Nova Scotia, Iowa, and Texas. Putting aside the dizzying details of getting all of these folks into a studio, much less on tour, the group comes across as one that has been playing together for a long time and, further, create a rich full sound that belies their rather small instrumental size. As for the compositions, they speak to the “Modern Mainstream Big Band” type of writing that seems rather popular at present (with Gil Evans as its icon). The majority of the record’s playing time centers around Tynan’s seven-‐movement suite, “Story of Langston Suite.” The series embraces a cross- section of moods in its homage to “musicians and educators” that influenced Tynan, with plenty of focus on the leaders; Tynan and Lington both excel on “The 4th Letter” and “Six Years,” and there are also strong solo spotlights for guitarist Kevin Brunkhorst on “Dub’s Lament,” pianist Stefan Karlsson on “Chanting for Staples,” and altoist Bobby Selvaggio on the spirited “Red Beard’s Romp.” The suite is really a testament to the rich tapestries painted by Tynan, as well as his sprightly solo work throughout (with several turns obviously influenced by Kenny Wheeler). The remaining pieces by Lington are also worthwhile exercises, with the midtempo Jazz colors starting off the program on “The Gauntlet,” as well as the introspective closer, “March of the Pariahs,” a feature for some of Tynan’s best work. The result is a document of modern enlarged ensemble Jazz filled with adept writing and excellent trumpet/flugelhorn work from Tynan. —-Jay Collins, Cadence
Originally hailing from San Francisco and Nova Scotia, the co-leaders of the newly-minted Bicoastal Collective (Paul Tynan and Aaron Lington) met in Texas and later formed a band with college acquaintances, also hailing from throughout North America. After an introductory (and outstanding) jazz waltz that sounds like a small big band is at work, the collective moves into a long series of pieces showcasing elements of sound throughout trumpeter Paul Tynan's development and career. The movements build slowly one by one, increasing in energy and in ornamentation as they go, and increasing the influence of the trumpet to the overall sound. This is where the album really starts to pick up. Bit by bit, the band adds their individual elements, growing careful grooves and solos along the way. The collection of instruments in the band gives a nice range of possible coloration to the affair, and the bandleaders make full use of that along the way with their compositions (all originals on the album). The color is there throughout, though the energy ebbs and flows a bit. There's a lot of potential in the outfit and in the concept, but there's more development to be had still. Be on the lookout for a future "Chapter Two" and see where the collective has gone. —-Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
As I’ve mentioned before, there are a large number of enormously talented yet largely unsung Jazz musicians hidden in various nooks and crannies all over this great country of ours, and here are five more, capably led by baritone saxophonist Aaron Lington. I can’t say much about the album (there are no liner notes) aside from the fact that it was recorded in San Jose, CA, and that all of the compositions are Lington’s. What I do know from listening is that Lington and his companions are topnotch musicians who deserve a far wider audience than this enterprise is likely to draw. If comparisons are to be made, one must concede that Lington is a stylistic and sonic replica of the late Nick Brignola, while trumpeter Paul Tynan has the technical fluency and crystalline sound of a Bobby Shew or Marvin Stamm. Similarities aside, each has his own message to impart, and does so quite persuasively. I said these were five talented musicians, an observation that bears repeating. The rhythm section is exceedingly perceptive and compatible, while pianist Dahveed Behroozi is a classy soloist who bears watching (and rewards listening). While none of Lington’s compositions are likely to become a standard, Jazz or otherwise, each of them is pleasant enough and serves its purpose, which is to give the players a well-equipped stage on which to perform. These gentlemen are by no means amateurs, and this is a pleasurable album of largely mellow, yet invigorating post-Bop Jazz. —-Jack Bowers, Cadence – August 2006, Vol. 32, No. 8, p. 112
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