11th February 2015: Alex Garnett’s ‘Bunch of Five’ – Four stars from The Guardian, London Jazz, The Sunday Herald & live reviews from Financial Times, Jazzwise Magazine + Interview on Jazz FM
Andromeda is the second solo release from London-based saxophonist and composer Alex Garnett and is the debut recording of ‘Bunch of Five’ his new two tenor saxophone project.
The two frontmen, Garnett and the NYC-based Tim Armacost, have a collective 50 years of combined playing experience on the international stage.
Rounding out the group is a versatile rhythm section featuring UK pianist Liam Noble, American bassist Michael Janisch, and one of London’s in demand young drummers, James Maddren.
The compositions are all Garnett’s creations reflecting a broad sweep of influences from the last twenty years of his musical journey.
To launch Andromeda (click here), Alex has been touring ‘Bunch of Five’ across the UK and reproduced here are some live reviews that have come in, including The Financial Times (below) and Jazzwise Magazine (Read) for his sold-out launch show at The 606 Club:
From The Financial Times, Wednesday Jan 21st 2015
We have also received more reviews for ‘Andromeda’ and we bring you the highlights here:
“Garnett’s group includes New York saxophonist Tim Armacost in a series of virtuosic two-tenor conversations backed by Liam Noble (piano), Michael Janisch (bass) and James Maddren (drums). The leader’s dark, almost baritone-like tone and Armacost’s lighter sound establish plenty of intrigue. Serpent was a hard act to follow, but Garnett has nailed it, and without repeating himself.”
4 Stars, The Guardian (read full review)
“The combination of the leader’s tone and delivery is every bit as commanding as Rollins or Getz, whether rocking widely or producing those gorgeously lush, reaching phrases – and the diversity and inventiveness of the strong Garnett/Armacost musical partnership here is compelling throughout.”
AP Reviews (read full review)
“These are musicians with their own strong personalities and improvising styles.”
The Sunday Herald (read full review)
“Thoroughly enjoyable.”
The Northern Echo (read full review)
“Andromeda features five of the brightest stars on today’s jazz scene.”
London Jazz (read full review)