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Ned Otter
Ned Otter: Powder Keg
by John Kelman
Tenor saxophonist Ned Otter may not be a well-known name, but any recording which enlists the talents of pianist Harold Mabern and drummer Billy Higgins, plus the impeccable ears and engineering skills of Rudy van Gelder is—at least—worth investigating. With a session that could have been simply another competent post bop recording of a couple of chestnuts, two originals and a some lesser-known surprises, Otter’s combination of technical prowess, playful invention and melodic sense elevates things beyond the merely expected ...
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by Dan McClenaghan
For years tenor saxophonist Ned Otter polished his jazz craft as a protege of sax man George Coleman. Indeed, the first CD issued on Otter's Two and Four Recordings was Coleman's Danger High Voltage. Otter played alongside his mentor on that disc, and Coleman joined him on the younger player's debut, So Little Time (Two and Four, 2002). So well had Otter learned his lesson from the master that it was often hard to tell who was playing—teacher or pupil—as ...
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by C. Michael Bailey
A Brilliant Throwback...
One of the big differences between Be Bop and Hard Bop is the tempo. Sure there are many Hard Bop anthems that are plenty fast. But most of them make me think of Bobby Timmon's Moanin'." Another difference is the band lineup. Trumpet, tenor, and trombone generally fronted the great Jazz Messengers. This gave the Hard Bop bands like the Messengers a small-big band feel. Ned Otter has approximated this front with the addition of a ...
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by Mark Corroto
The possibilities of making jazz music these days are unlimited. Consider the Herbie Nichols Project, Mingus Big Band, or recent revival in jazz-fusion (cleverly disguised as the new “jamband” phenomena). Musicians have the ability to simultaneously advance their art and celebrate the successes of the past. Saxophonist Ned Otter takes you to New Jersey circa 1960, as this one-hour of music captures the popular music known as the Blue Note sound.
This debut by Otter follows the ...
read moreNed Otter: So Little Time
by Mark Corroto
The possibilities of making jazz music these days are unlimited. Consider the Herbie Nichols Project, Mingus Big Band, or recent revival in jazz-fusion (cleverly disguised as the new jamband" phenomena). Musicians have the ability to simultaneously advance their art and celebrate the successes of the past. Saxophonist Ned Otter takes you to New Jersey circa 1960, as this one-hour of music captures the popular music known as the Blue Note sound.
This debut by Otter follows the premier last year ...
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