Top Live Shows of 2005 Time Out NY
James Finn - Live at the Stone 9/7/05
"Charged with an urgency spawned by devastation, hardworking ecstatic-jazz saxophonist Finn's quartet tapped into the trancendental in this rapturous benefit for the victims of Hurricane Katrina." - Steve Smith, Time Out NY
"Tenor saxophonist, James Finn is a man on a musical mission. He is someone to look out for in your desire to hear new music." - Andrew Cyrille, master drummer
"James Finn, the bold, rousing and fiercely individual tenor saxophonist who has ignited a two-alarm fire of where’d-this-guy-come-from? raves with his debut album and keeps on blazing with new releases."
- Frank-John Hadley, Downbeat Magazine, Feature in October, 2005 Issue
"... a style of unusual clarity and directness. He builds high-spiring musical edifices brick by brick, finding solid ground even within the most violent and unstable of musical situations. His sound is so powerful it’s almost a physical presence, even on a recording, and he has a command of altissimo playing few saxophonists can match...he may well prove to be one of the most significant new voices in contemporary jazz."
- Nate Dorward, Signal To Noise, Feature in Fall Issue #39
"James Finn...is arguably the hottest property in modern jazz."
- Dan Warburton, Paris Transatlantic, liner notes for Great Spirit
"With Gingko Leaf as a steady feed source for forthcoming works, fans of focused and impassioned free jazz have much reason to rejoice."
- Derek Taylor, The Bagatellen, July 18, 2005, The Last Matador and Into the Afterworld
Great Spirit
"...consistently rewarding." - Derek Taylor, Dusted Magazine, 2006
"The quartet is energized and continuously creative throughout Great Spirit."
Plaza de Toros
Cadence Magazine 2005 Readers Poll Top 5
Top 10 Best of 2005
All About Jazz
Mark Corotto *****
All About Jazz NY
Laurence Donohue-Greene *****
Cadence Magazine
Jason Bivens, Jay Collins, Robert Iannapollo, Frank Rubolino, Derek Taylor
Jazz Journalist Association
Laurence Donohue-Greene *****
One Final Note
Matthew Sumera and Derek Taylor
Taran's Free Jazz Hour - Radio G, France
Taran Singh
Diapazon
"I find this very interesting...they lean toward the esoteric, introverted, very personal kind of interplay."
- Ed Thigpen, Jazz Times, Opening Chorus, November 2005, Plaza de Toros
Jazzwise Magazine
AMG
Album Pick
CD Hotlist
Recommended to all libraries in the USA
"...James Finn plays with both fierce intensity and sharp clarity of mind. Yes, his approach and the instrumentation both bring to mind Ornette Coleman, but Finn is his own man with his own (some will say better) sound."
- Rick Anderson, CD Hotlist, Plaza de Toros
"If jazz is not method but purity of intent, then James Finn should be regarded as one of today's saviours of the genre... luminous portraits of three egoless artists whose playing is refreshingly deep and outrageously spiritual."
- Massimo Ricci, Touching Extremes, Italy, Plaza de Toros
"...one of the most exciting working units in contemporary jazz ....treat yourself to a seat in this particular Plaza de Toros at the earliest opportunity."
- Dan Warburton, Paris Transatlantic, Plaza de Toros
"... this smokin' jazz CD will transport those in our readership who are "true Jazz-oids" to the heights! Finn's tenor work just shines in this trio setting ...emerge into this "new day" of music that rides the edge. Simply superb compositions; the album draws immediate MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from this reviewer! GET this one!"
- Rotcod Zzaj , Improvijazzation Nation, Issue #72, Plaza de Toros
"This is surely one of 2005's strongest releases."
- Jay Collins, Cadence Magazine, November 2005, Plaza de Toros
"Finn reveals a talent and passion for improvised music played at an extraordinarily high level."
- Mark Corroto, All About Jazz, June 2005, Plaza de Toros
"VOICE PICK - James Finn - Plaza de Toros heralds the arrival of a young saxophonist with crazy energy and bold ideas to spare."
- Francis Davis, The Village Voice, Plaza de Toros
"Finn's tenor sax playing has a fascinating flow, employing elements of Coltrane's harmonic sense, Sonny Rollins's use of rhythm, and Ayler's emotional intensity. This is an excellent recording and I'm looking forward to his next release."
- Alan Lankin, Jazzmatatazz, Plaza de Toros
"Finn's playing is characterized by nearly continuous forward momentum and a charismatic presence bolstered by fresh material and the leader's purposeful seriousness ...he is a free jazz talent to be reckoned with."
- Jeff Stockton, All About Jazz New York, June 2005, Plaza de Toros
"An inspired and transcendent sound. You get the feeling the man's soul is coming out of his horn here."
- Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz, May 2005, Plaza de Toros
"...Finn has a gift for a romanticism that embraces Dyonisian as well as Apollonian energies."
- Kevin Le Gendre, Jazzwise Magazine, August 2005, Plaza de Toros
"I delight myself to the shade of this alegoria on the art of the toureio."
- Eduardo V. Chagas, Jazz e Arredores, Portugal, Plaza de Toros
"This talent for irrepressible continuity marks an important edge for the saxophonist over many of his peers."
- Derek Taylor, The Bagatellen, Plaza de Toros
"Emerging..."
Bruce Kanzler, Hot House Magazine, Winning Spins June 2005, Plaza de Toros
"What distinguishes Finn is the musicality of his approach. He is authentically passionate and creative...this is affecting stuff. "
- Chris Kelsey, Jazz Times, July 2005 issue, Plaza de Toros
"Finn is a talent on the rise...is definitely one to watch."
- Troy Collins, One Final Note, Plaza de Toros
"...the fact that Finn, Duval and Smith convey such conviction and necessity in their music trumps derivativeness with sincerity and power, something which a lot of contemporary music could do well to study."
- Clifford Allen, All About Jazz New York, Plaza de Toros
Village Voice
Honorable Mention - Pick Hits
"Living by his wits, with momentary flashes of Spanish bravado."
- Tom Hull, Village Voice, Plaza de Toros
"...this CD offers free jazz playing of the highest order."
- Marc Meyers, All About Jazz, Plaza de Toros
"James Finn is an up and coming New York based tenor saxophonist who draws on the Sonny Rollins/ David S. Ware tradition of combining compositional foresight with a facility for bold single notes and the gush of pure spirit."
- David Keenan, The Wire, July 2005, Plaza de Toros
"James crafts a masterful conceptual portrait overflowing with potency and warmth."
- Frank Rubolino, liner notes for Plaza de Toros
Faith in a Seed
Top 10 Best of 2004
One Final Note
Scott Hreha (Editor)
Time Out NY
Steve Smith (Classical Music Editor)
Coda Magazine
Nate Dorward
"One of music's signal pleasures is the unexpected arrival of a performer whose sound and conception are so fully formed, you can't but ponder under what barrel they've previously been hidden."
- Steve Smith, Time Out Magazine New York, October 21, 2004, Faith in a Seed
"James Finn is one ot the most entralling voices made in America today."
- Phillipe Elhem, Crescendo Magazine, Belgium, Faith in a Seed
"It'd be safe to say that the story of 2004 in creative improvised music is James Finn's arrival as a leader. Both Opening the Gates, his debut, and now Faith in a Seed, his sophomore follow-up, expose the sound of a relatively unheard musician suddenly exploding onto the scene, fully formed, with a voice both resonant of the past yet entirely of his own—everything that makes this music as good as it gets."
- Matthew Sumera, One Final Note, Faith in a Seed
"He's an eloquent- almost hypnotic- improviser...Finn's music works form the inside out, the climaxes coming for the listener with the force of an internal revelation. Faith in a Seed is music in search of the sublime, gorgeous, and frightening at the same time. This is the second disc of Finn's I've heard and still I get a 'Where did this guy come from?' buzz from it: how did a player this good stay unknown for so long?"
- Nate Dorward, Cadence Magazine - March 2005, Faith in a Seed
"...a genuinely arresting talent."
- Stuart Broomer, Coda Magazine, Opening the Gates and Faith in a Seed
"From the very first note the listener is drawn into Finn’s world – and it's well worth the visit."
- Stephen Griffith, Paris Transatlantic - February 2005, Faith in a Seed
"Who will be the first program planner to have the good idea of inviting James Finn to come to play in France?"
- Luc Bouquet, Jazz Break - France, Faith in a Seed
"One does not know whether to laugh or cry, but listeners may react as extremely as the music does. Jazz lovers may need assistance to soothe the singe of this ferocious musical journey."
- Gregory J. Robb, Jazz Improv Magazine, Faith in a Seed
"Finn makes another strong statement as a serious and controlled fireball who continues to make an indelible mark."
- Steven Loewy, All Music Guide, Faith in a Seed
“This is a solid, free-jazz sax trio date with a truly organic vibe at the center, everyone listening closely and building towards some great conclusions ...this is one truly fine delicacy.”
- Bruce Gallanter, The Downtown Music Gallery, August 2004, Faith in a Seed
"Partisans of free jazz will be happy to have Finn on the scene and will be eagerly looking to him for more."
- Michael Holman, All About Jazz, Faith in a Seed
"This year the Cadence/North Country cause-celebre is saxophonist James Finn."
- Derek Taylor, Dusted, Features 2004, Faith in a Seed
"Finn indeed has the charisma to blend his music with the kind of spirituality that recalls the soul uplift and blast-off of late period Coltrane. Even in it's most extreme moments, even when Finn’s tenor soars towards it’s high end, the sound is far from heard as noisy anarchy, but impresses in its fullness of feeling and meditation."
- Vangelis Aragiannis, Apopsy, March 2005, Greece, Faith in a Seed http://www.apopsy.gr/t_141/music.htm
"Four Stars!"
- Vittorio Lo Conte, AAJ, Italy, Faith in a Seed
"It is my hope that James Finn will begin to be heard."
- Bob Rusch, CIMP, Producer's Notes for Faith in a Seed
Opening the Gates
Top 10 Best of 2004
One Final Note
Matthew Sumera
Cadence Magazine
Frank Rubolino
Derek Taylor
"An astonishing debut album...well deserves any hype that will most assuredly come his way."
- Matthew Sumera, One Final Note, Opening the Gates
"The lyricism of Coltrane, the cry of Ayler, and the rhythmic sense of Sonny Rollins."
– Phillipe Elhem, Crescendo Magazine, Belgium - July 2004, Opening the Gates
"There's no doubt in my mind that Finn is already a voice to keep ears tuned to in 2004 and well beyond."
- Derek Taylor, The Bagatellen, Opening the Gates
"James Finn enters the realm of a small circle of free improvisational virtuosi who blow with passionate fervor and considered perspicacity."
- Steven Loewy, All Music Guide, Opening the Gates
"It's the kind of sound that makes the back of your neck prickle: throbbing, resplendent, beatific."
- Nate Dorward, Paris Transatlantic, Opening the Gates
"A truly dominant performer, Finn reminds of several past and present saxophonists. John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and even the modern master James Carter, seem to swirl about his glass. Yet, there is so much that is uniquely Finn that will, surely, become clearer with two more releases scheduled for this year. Stay tuned, as you do not want to miss this."
- Germein Linares, All About Jazz Los Angeles, Opening the Gates
"...he turns fire into glow. Here is a thoughtful player whose tenor navigates its path with precision and emotion."
- Jerry D'Sousa, All About Jazz, Opening the Gates
"The spirit that hallmarked the entry of liberated music many decades ago is perpetuated and reinforced on these overwhelmingly concentrated selections. While brawn is the mainstay, there exists a full complement of beauty crafted from the totality of the artists' contributions. An aura of sensitivity coexists with the raw elements of authority. Climbing aboard this sound craft is an invigorating experience that will simultaneously lift and exhaust through its vibrant message trumpeting the art of creative unity."
- Frank Rubolino, Flying Blind, Cadence Magazine May 2004, Opening the Gates
"This is an artist with a clear vision delivering fully formed and strong music."
- Bob Rusch, Cadence Jazz Records, Producer's Notes for Opening the Gates
"James Finn plays with such intensity as to ultimately challenge the listener. When he finishes a solo, we feel like survivors of a musical crucifixtion. Finn clearly craves the dramatic impact and his music will so impress the accomplished avant-garde jazz ear."
- Gregory J. Robb, Jazz Improv, Opening the Gates
"The constant pleasure of James Finn's sax mastery left my jaw hanging ...belongs on a major label with top hype and promotion. James has unlimited imagination and you’re not going to hear simply a musician playing a saxophone. You will hear a man coming through the sound of the horn."
- Tim Price, The Saxophone Journal - March/April 1992
"James Finn blew the roof off the place ...appears to be the next Woodstock musician to achieve national recognition."
- Woodstock Times, August 1991
Musicians
"James Finn may not ring any bells when you hear his name in the year 2004, however, wait around a few years and let’s see what time and common sense will bring. I am sure those who know anything about this thing we call ‘new music’ will agree - He is a major force to be listened to and respected." - Dominic Duval
"The spirit of John Coltrane lives in James Finn's playing and possesses the fire and passion that makes jazz so dynamic." - Roy Campbell
"James Finn is already a consummate master of the tenor saxophone and at home in all genres." - Leon Lee Dorsey
James Finn Music
gingkotreestudio@aol.com
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