Greg Ward Vibes Quartet, November 2020 – Chicago, Illinois

Finding an original pianist who can front a jazz trio and not sound like myriad others is a daunting task. How many jazz pianists have a fresh voice? Well, Reggie Thomas does. His soulful, hard-swinging brand of piano immediately grabs the listener, imparting joy and a positive energy. Ballads? Yes, he also plays those flawlessly and does so in in this outing. Joining Mr. Thomas is a veteran rhythm section with Dennis Carrol on bass and George Fludas on drums. Dennis and George both support and complement Reggie’s piano artistry with excursions of their own. The result is a masterful trio creating exquisite music. The performance was captured with the finest custom (tube) and vintage microphones including a pair of legendary cardiod AKG 414 EB’s on piano, two AKG ULS’s on drums and a single AKG ULS on bass, directly to a highly modified Studer/Revox 8-track master recorder. The result is an audio and musical gem.

Where technology meets art

Greg Ward Vibes Quartet, November 2020 – Chicago, Illinois

Two of my favorite modern jazz musicians are alto saxophone player, Greg Ward and vibraphonist, Jason Adasiewicz. Both play straight-ahead jazz with a slight bent or avant nuance that makes their conception accessible yet highly original. Hence while this group of musicians (rounded out by Joshua Abrams on bass, Quin Kirchner on drums) plays in familiar, melodic territory, they lend a freshness and spark to what might otherwise be mundane or at least common. All in all, original yet accessible music manifested through natural, analog sound — unique music but very accessible. Engineering by Anthony Gravino of High Cross Sound.