BRIAN GRODER’S “TORQUE” NAMED “BEST OF 2007″ BY DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE

Brian Groder And The Sam Rivers Trio Torque
Latham Records
Brian Groder: trumpet, flugelhorn; Sam Rivers: tenor sax, flute; Doug Mathews: bass; Anthony Cole: drums
<http://www.briangroder.com/>

“TORQUE”, the most recent CD by trumpeter and composer Brian Groder, has
been named one of the best jazz CDs of 2007 by Downbeat Magazine in its
January, 2008, issue. Groder recorded the disc of 14 original
compositions and improvisations with the legendary saxophonist Sam
Rivers Trio, featuring bassist Doug Mathews and Anthony Cole on drums,
and the disc has garnered rave reviews from critics worldwide. “TORQUE”
is also one of the few recordings on the esteemed Downbeat list to have
been released independently (on Latham, Groder’s own label).

Brian can be reached at brian@briangroder.com and his website,
<http://www.briangroder.com/>

What The Press Had To Say About “Torque”

Torque is, for many, a first wide exposure to the music of Brian Groder,
and the response to this “new vision for modern jazz” (according to
Midwest Records) is overwhelming. Several editions of All About Jazz
proclaimed this disc to be “music of ceaselessly fascinating
possibilities”, as “four brilliant musicians listening closely to one
another and playing extremely well together” create “a graceful
recording marked by the flawless tone of Groder.”

The interplay of this champion of modern progressive jazz and the
legendary Sam Rivers (abetted by his long-time colleagues Doug Mathews
and Anthony Cole, on Cole’s final recording date with the Trio) has
elicited raves from around the world, calling the music “Razor-sharp”
(UK), “The absolute definition of free” (Sweden), “Interesting and
beautifully constructed” (Netherlands) and “A true definition of today’s
jazz: swinging, vibrant and full of vitality” (Portugal).

Torque has been compared to the mid-60s music of Miles Davis, the
harmolodic output of Ornette Coleman, avant-garde master Albert Ayler,
contemporary jazz darling Dave Douglas, even a “mutant Herb Alpert”.
Truth is, the playing of these four creative masters combined with
Groder’s “strikingly uncompromising” material is hard to classify,
reviewers calling it bop, free, avant-garde, contemporary,
neo-expressionist, experimental and exploratory, effervescent, graceful,
fresh, smooth and invigorating. What they do agree on is the artistry of
the band, the strength of Groder’s compositions, and the fiery chemistry
between Sam and Brian (more than one reviewer calling them “smoldering
volcanoes”). And some reviews speak for themselves:

“Brian Groder brings impressive focus and impeccable chops to this
encounter with Sam Rivers.”
Bill Meyer, Downbeat Magazine FOUR STARS

“Groder’s engaging methods of combining line, texture and attack spur on
Rivers at every turn. Their chemistry catalyzes this exceptional
recording.”         Bill Shoemaker, Point Of Departure

“Music of ceaselessly fascinating possibilities.”     Samuel Chell, All
About Jazz

“An absorbing set of free-bop that yields up new riches with every
listen.”  Ken Mathiesen, Jazz Wise

“May prove to be an enduring classic.”   Ken Kase,  All About Jazz

“Groder is clearly a formidable talent.”  Sid Smith, Postcrds From The
Yellow Room

“A personal voice able to communicate a range of moods and ideas without
hesitancy … a recording that deserves to be heard by as many fans of
improvised
music as possible.”  Jazz Improv NY

“It’s remarkable that so much of this is improv, the rapport being
copacetic at all levels.” Signal To Noise

“A superior set of contemporary jazz.” Popmatters.com (UK)

“This quartet dares to be in a class by itself.”  Jazzozaiek Magazine,
Belgium

“These four musicians integrate fully to produce inventive original
contemporary jazz … this is stimulating, fresh jazz with an eye to the
future but strong awareness of the past.”
Jazz Journal International

“Music not only for today but also for tomorrow.”  Bruce Crowther,
Swing2bop.com

“Free improvisational music that can swing.”  Jazz Review

“A document of four superior players being inspired by one another.”
Jason Ferguson, Orlando Weekly

“This is the kind of record you can listen to repeatedly … truly not to
be missed.”   Jay Collins, Cadence

“Composer, trumpeter and orchestra leader Brian Groder is one of the new
rising stars in the jazz universe. Interesting and beautifully
constructed music. Essential? Yes.”   Jazz
Musikas,  Netherlands

“All four musicians are able to use the full range of their instruments
to quell or excite and whether it is gorgeous duet, tight ensemble
playing or Rivers and Groder spitting
fire, TORQUE twists and turns easily to move through its free and
structured spaces.”   Elliot Simon, All About
Jazz-NY

“A true definition of today’s jazz; swinging, vibrant and full of
vitality.”   Trem Azul Jazz, Portugal

“What really knocks me out is the way that Sam and Brian sound as if
they have been playing together for
a long while. Matching ideas and tones throughout…the magic here is
the way that even when these men are
playing together and anticipate each others moves, always flowing
together in one stream.”
Bruce L. Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery NYC

“Your music has moved me deeply.”  Charles Lloyd

VISIT BRIAN GRODER.COM FOR
-solo transcriptions
-woodshed transcriptions
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