Comments for Dan Willis, Dan Willis Quartet

Reviews------------------------------------------------------------------------Jim Macnie - Jazziz Magazine - February 1999"Recombinant powers also make noteworthy The Dan Willis Quartet (A-Records). This disc`s achievements isn`t that it puts a centrist spin on leftist ideas but that it finds a way to harness a near tumultuous attack with some old-fashioned eloquence. The young leader is a tenor saxophonist whose sound mingles Pharaoh Sanders with David Sanborn. With the help of guitarist Ben Monder, bassist Drew Gress, and drummer John Hollenbeck, Dan Willis Shows just how spirited New Orleans struts and psychedelic bounces can be. His big yen to display the swinging side of tension-and-release is never out of view for a moment."(Available through Allegro: 14134 N.E. Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230)(Jim Macnie spends many of his non-family nights scouting the jazz clubs in New York)------------------------------------------------------------------------Bill Bernardi - www.52ndstreet.com - January 1999The mark of a really good jazz group is the interaction between the members of that group. Here, saxophonist Dan Willis is surrounded by some exceptional musicians to create some of the most exciting jazz that I`ve heard in quite some time. Not only is the playing terrific, but the writing - all but one song is penned by Willis - also shines.Willis, who is a mainstay in the New York City area, teams up with a highly imaginative rhythm section. While Willis` sax playing is good, it is guitarist Ben Monder who really kicks this band into gear. Monder can conjure up images of Pat Metheny and John Scofield, as well as an original voice. And drummer Hollenbeck keeps the groove flowing throughout.The album kicks off with a rollicking "Hankerin`", with a killer guitar solo by Monder. The rhythm section really shines on "Buffalo", where both bass and drums do a great job. Gress has his moment on "Homegrown", which is a jazzy-hoedown tune. Willis shines on "Do You Good", a souful waltz, but it is "Oddly Enough" that Willis makes his point. This is a fast paced bebop tune that really showcases Willis` songwriting skills.The highlight for me was "Tell Me What You Saw", a very moody piece. This starts out soft, and then the band kicks it up a notch and starts to rock! A very wild guitar solo is played by Monder on this song. "Each Answer" is a beautiful ballad that showcases Willis` soprano playing. The album ends on "Home", which sounds very much like Pat Metheny`s "Two Folk Songs" which was on his 80/81 album.This is some very exciting music from a group who deserves wider recognition. Willis is clearly a talented composer as well as a musician, and this recording is an absolute joy to listen to. Highly recommended!"------------------------------------------------------------------------Michael Rosenstein - Cadence MagazineFrom the very first, this CD tears out with rollicking energy. Willis is a new name to me, and this set of originals proves him to be a skilled writer and engaging leader. The tunes provide snaking melodies with quirky harmonic hooks and rhythmic turns, giving this quartet material to cut loose. These four clearly grew up on rock and that sensibility has shaped their approach to post-bop improvisation. Willis has a gruff-edged tone and angular approach to his solos. His lines dart and skitter, bounding around the melodies with a barely restrained abandon. Monder is impressive throughout. The guitarist adds ragged, fuzzed textures and a rock tinge to a liquid tone and phrasing that owe a debt to Bill Frisell without sounding like a clone. He aptly shadows the leader, filling in spare chords, or laying out singing rhythmic counterpoint. His solos have a chiming lilt shaded with a bluesy edge, culling from rock bluster, country twang, and the harmonic and rhythmic complexities of jazz players. Gress proves yet again that he is simply one of the top, and often-underrated, players on the scene. He anchors and propels the music with a keen melodic ear and unerring rhythmic sense. Hollenbeck is an inventive player who is able to probe at the skewed rhythms from odd angles, without ever abandoning the underlying pulse of the music. Though this session doesn`t break any new ground, it is a solid outing by players who are thoughtfully shaping the music with a personal voice.