Buenos
Aires Jazz Festival 2017 (Highlights)
“…Matthew Shipp
(probably one of the two or three greatest jazz pianists of
today) and the Italian Rita Marcotulli (extraordinary pianist,
great arranger and composer of long career). Also the
presentation of Matthew Shipp with his trio, integrated by
bassist Michael Bisio and drummer Newman Taylor Baker (a kind of
compendium of the best of the avant-garde). To conclude with the
modic pantheon of this 2017, it is mandatory to add the
participation of Bisio and Taylor Baker in a crossing with the
platense Pablo Ledesma (perhaps one of the best soprano
saxophones of Argentina) and the incredible trumpeter Valentín
Garvie (of immense trajectory) in Europe, but a discovery for
many of the concertgoers).” - Jorge Fondebrider elpais.com.uy/cultural/seis-dias-vez-ano.html
"One of the things that I like most about Matthew Shipp is that he
is completely genuine in his approach… With the bassist Michael
Bisio and drummer Newman Taylor Baker Shipp has found soulmates in
this studio recording continuing their longstanding work together.
A must for free-jazz fans." - SG marlbank.net/index.php
“On Signature, the third release under his name for ESP-Disk’,
Shipp reconvenes his stellar trio with bassist Michael Bisio and
drummer Newman Taylor Baker. Like Shipp, the group’s style is both
unique and firmly grounded within the piano trio
tradition.”
“The final “This Matrix” could act as a summation of the
threesome’s virtues: crisp, emphatic and animated, but always
avoiding the obvious. “ - John Sharpe nycjazzrecord.com/issues/tnycjr201902.pdf
“The Matthew Shipp trio these days is like a train that is ever
arriving as it ever departs for destinations not yet known. The
three in tandem exemplify what the improvisatory arts are all
about when they are in their purest state. There can be no final
destination because the track extends outwards into
infinity.”- Grego Applegate Edwards gapplegatemusicreview.blogspot.com/2017/01/matthew-shipp-trio-piano-song.html
“Baker's devotion to fundamental rhythms transforms the group from
the bottom up, inducing Shipp's stark themes to swing more
traditionally than they have in the past and shining light into
the moss on bark closeness of Bisio and Shipp's musical
connection.” ~ Bill Meyer at MAGNET
Magazine.
“Matthew Shipp remains one of the most interesting jazz piano
players working today, and the dynamic duo of Michael Bisio and
Newman Taylor Baker work perfectly together to both compliment and
support Shipp’s playing and to add their own unique elements to
the mix. Which has me excited to hear what this trio will do for
round three.” - Paul Semel /paulsemel.com/matthew-shipp-trio-piano-song-review/
“Piano Song serves as a pitch-perfect testament to the
capabilities of the group. Sometimes hard swinging, often boundary
pushing, yet at moments intensely reflective, personal, and even
atmospheric, Piano Song provides devoted fans with a thrilling
array of material to absorb. For newcomers, the album serves as a
welcome introduction, effectively utilizing a time-honored
ensemble format to create a unique alchemy of the familiar and the
unexpected.” - Seton Hawkins
hothousejazz.com/blog/matthew-shipp
"Imaginatively incorporating conventional melodies, harmonies and
rhythms into their dynamically fluid interplay, Shipp and his
sidemen offer a unique take on the venerable piano trio tradition.
Avoiding the stereotypical formal limitations of both the
mainstream and avant-garde, Piano Song stands tall as one of the
finest moments in Shipp's vast oeuvre." - Troy Collins hallaboutjazz.com/piano-song-matthew-shipp-thirsty-ear-recordings-review-by-troy-collins.php
“He easily leads as well as interacts with the powerful musical
visions of his bandmates who seem to personalize each note to
ensure a perfect fit with their leader's performances. Each player
honors the others' commitment to his program without boring the
listener with improvisations that seem dated.” soundsoftimelessjazz.com
“They run the gamut from abstract yet madly swinging originals
with freedom, yet too with a foundation in the heat of tradition.
. .
In fact I would go so far to say that this is one of a handful of
the greatest piano-bass sets recorded in recent times. It is
virtually without peer. It has the burning edge of post-hard-bop,
the full breadth of freedom, and the ability to bring in
compositional elements via standards and Matthew's inspired
pieces. They keep the torch wildly and happily surging
forth. ” http://gapplegatemusicreview.blogspot.com/2016/04/matthew-shipp-michael-bisio-live-in.html
New York City Jazz Records Concerts of the Year 2015
Matthew Shipp/Michael Bisio @ Zurcher Gallery (5/27)
“27 years after his debut release in 1988, Matthew Shipp remains
a sonic explorer from that generation of musicians who have stayed
true to the history of jazz while remaining open to contemporary
influences. That spirit suffused his performance this night with
fellow traveler Michael Bisio.” - John Diliberto http://echoes.org/2015/12/14/matthew-shipp-live-in-philadelphia/
"Shipp and his longtime confederate bassist Michael Bisio could
not have made a better choice than welcoming the experienced
Newman Taylor Baker as partner in crime. When Bisio and Baker lay
down the rhythm for Matt's improvisations, they punctuate his
tunes so adeptly that it becomes almost impossible to distinguish
between the three artists." jazzaddikt.tumblr.com/post/134822662614/the-conduct-of-jazz-a-review-by-michael-nolte
"For three-plus groundbreaking decades, out-jazz iconoclast
Matthew Shipp has reigned supreme over New York City's avant-garde
scene, a pioneer alongside composer giants like William Parker and
John Zorn. The tireless visionary who put his stamp on
now-shuttered lower Manhattan experimental hubs now brings his EV
vibes uptown to Jazz at Lincoln Center. With longtime bassist
Michael Bisio and new drummer Newman Taylor Baker in tow, Shipp
hits Dizzy's for a victory lap celebrating a 2015 that rightfully
landed him on "Best Jazz Records of 2015" everywhere. Beginning
with 2012's Elastic Aspects and continuing with '14's Root of
Things, To Duke (released earlier this year) and most recently
with The Conduct of Jazz, Shipp and his trio continue breaking
their genre?s mold with an ecstatic post-bop swing, thick with
shapeshifting thrills and adventurous phraseology." - Brad
Cohen villagevoice.com/event/matthew-shipp-trio-8134216
"Matthew Shipp's Trio is rightly acknowledged as one of the
world's finest and they didn't disappoint, producing a set of
insistent driving momentum, which swept the audience along with
it." - John Sharpe, The New York City Jazz Record
"A glance at pianist Matthew Shipp's discography shows that small
group work has long been a focus. Indeed in recent times one of
the prime outlets for his artistry is his classic piano trio,
which ranks among the pre-eminent outfits in modern jazz. The
Conduct Of Jazz represents Shipp's twelfth release in the format.
Although Newman Taylor Baker makes his debut on the drum stool
alongside monster bassist Michael Bisio, the familiar strengths
are still evident: near telepathic interplay; ability to turn on a
dime; robustly independent thought; instrumental virtuosity; and a
willingness to subsume ego for the communal benefit. " - John
Sharpe allaboutjazz.com/john-sharpes-best-releases-of-2015-mats-gustafsson-by-john-sharpe.php
"Anyway: This album feels short, just whizzes by in seven tracks
of pure listening, head-bobbing, toe-tapping pleasure. It's
probing stuff, as you'd expect, just chock-fulla ideas, curiosity
and vigor it's full of life. Shipp's bandmates offer more
than just support for the pianist's fearsome flights, they sound
like they all popped out of the same womb, connected within this
music in amazingly organic and intuitive understanding of one
another's hearts and minds." - John Payne bluefat.com/1510/Matthew_Shipp.htm
"The music is wrapped up with a wonderful lengthy stretched out
improvised section where everyone gets a chance to shine
especially Michael Bisio, who is simply magnificent. This is an
extraordinary trio that makes very profound and yet highly
accessible music." jazzandblues.blogspot.com/2015/10/matthew-shipp-trio-conduct-of-jazz.html
"It is an album that should get attention for how it communicates
vividly without compromising the spirit-essence of the Shipp way.
He is one of the most important pianists on the scene now and this
trio is essential in no lesser sense." - Grego Applegate Edwards
"Like Thelonious Monk before him, Matthew Shipp can take something
basic and well established, like, say the blues, and shape it into
something that?s far ahead in a dialect that no one will mistake
for anyone else. And it?s an approach that enables him to be
unconcerned about sounding too much like conventional even when he
makes a conscious effort to stay within the established parameters
of jazz. Michael Bisio and Newman Taylor Baker share that vision
whole-heartedly, too. As a result, The Conduct of Jazz honors the
real jazz tradition of breaking outside of previously placed
constraints." - S. Victor Aaron somethingelsereviews.com/2015/10/19/matthew-shipp-trio-the-conduct-of-jazz-2015