| "Live review: V5 in Alchemia" published on 03-20-09 by Improjazz Magazine |
| "Live Review: V5 in Cadiz, Spain." published on 03-09-09 by Diariobahiadecadiz.com |
| "Live review (German): V5 at Jazz-Fabrik" published on 02-03-09 by main-rheiner.de |
| "Review: Beat Reader (Italian)" published on 05-27-08 by AllAboutJazz.com (Italy) |
| "Review: Beat Reader" published on 02-13-08 by DustedMagazine.com |
| "Review: Beat Reader" published on 01-23-08 by All About Jazz |
| "Review: 'Target or Flag'" published on 05-14-07 by Jazznet |
| "The Vandermark 5 in Pittsburgh" published on 02-17-07 by jazztimes.com |
| "Twisted Lines: The Vandermark 5" published on 02-15-07 by Washington Post Express |
| "V5: Pittsburgh show preview" published on 02-15-07 by Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |
| "Jazzers Rock Out in Somerville" published on 02-12-07 by Boston Globe (SoundEffects) |
| "V5: Detroit show preview" published on 02-07-07 by Detroit Metro Times |
 |
| "V5: NYC/Brooklyn show preview" |
| Published on 01-26-07 by TimeOutNY |
| Writing credit: Hank Shteamer |
Though he hasn't attained John Zorn's status, Ken Vandermark has become well known outside avant-jazz circles. Indie-rockers might recall his tenures with DK3, which included ex–Jesus Lizard guitarist Duane Denison, and prog-punkers the Flying Luttenbachers. Moreover, Vandermark's intense touring schedule affords him more exposure than your average jazz musician; he abides by the get-in-the-van ethos of early hardcore bands and often opts to play divey rock clubs instead of high-end jazz venues. Despite these affiliations, though, he keeps his jazz refreshingly pure.
Some of Vandermark's umpteen bands are willfully single-minded, but the Vandermark 5 is built for versatility. The group's three-horn front line—including the bandleader and Dave Rempis, both on multiple reeds, and trombonist Jeb Bishop—allows it to suggest big-band bombast without losing the agility of a small combo. On the raucous "That Was Now (for the Volcano Suns)" from the V5's latest disc, The Color of Memory (Atavistic), the horns assemble in brash harmony, while on "Road Work (for Merce Cunningham)," a freer piece, their statements each maintain a compelling self-absorption.
Overall, the record is impeccably tight and infectiously energetic, if a little predictable; it exemplifies the grab-bag approach—encompassing driving odd-time grooves, spacious improvisations and straight-up postbop—that the band has plied for a decade. But Vandermark will bring a revamped V5 to Tonic: Bishop, an original member, has recently exited the group. In his place is cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm, whose visceral, effects-juiced bowing (often suggestive of an electric guitar) may bring his boss's latent rock connection to the surface.
View original online article HERE. |
|
| |
| "Review: A Discontinuous Line" published on 01-20-07 by AllAboutJazz.com |
| "Review: A Discontinuous Line (Danish)" published on 12-15-06 by Jazznet |
| "Review: Alchemia (Danish)" published on 11-04-06 by Jazznet |
| "Review: The Color of Memory (Danish)" published on 11-02-06 by Jazznet |
| "Review: Free Jazz Classics 3&4 (Danish)" published on 11-01-06 by Jazznet |
| "Ken Vandermark does it all - because he can" published on 06-23-06 by City Paper |
| "REVIEW::Free Jazz Classics 3&4" published on 06-01-06 by theWIRE |
| "Review: Free Jazz Classics Vol. 3&4" published on 05-25-06 by AllAboutJazz.com |
| "review: Live at the Woodruff Bldg." published on 02-21-06 by Metro Pulse (Knoxville) |
| "Review: The Color of Memory" published on 02-16-06 by PitchforkMedia.com |
| "review: Live at Underlying Themes" published on 02-10-06 by Lexington Herald-Leader |
| "NEW LINEUP, NEW TEXTURES FOR VANDERMARK 5" published on 02-03-06 by Boston Globe |
| "review: The Color Of Memory" published on 02-03-06 by WashingtonPost.com |
| "Vandermark 5 Gets Its Game On" published on 02-03-06 by Lexington Herald-Leader |
| "Giving Everything the Supercharged Treatment, Even Ballads" published on 02-02-06 by New York Times |
| "A Constant Search for New Directions" published on 01-30-06 by The New York Sun |
| "The Fresh Smell of Jazz" published on 01-28-06 by TheLiveMusicReport.com |
| "V5 Live at the Turf Club, Minneapolis" published on 01-27-06 by HowWasTheShow.com |
| "review: The Color Of Memory" published on 01-26-06 by Toronto Eye |
| "Head Cheese" published on 01-25-06 by Detroit Metro Times |
| "The Color of Memory: review (Italian)" published on 12-19-05 by AllAboutJazz.com (Italy) |
| "Review: Alchemia (Russian)" published on 11-29-05 by Diapazon.net |
| "Review: V5 Live in Lviv (Russian)" published on 11-19-05 by Dzyga.com.ua |
| "V5 live at Bogui Jazz (Madrid)" published on 11-17-05 by Tomajazz.com |
| "Review: The Color of Memory" published on 11-12-05 by AllAboutJazz.com |
| "KV Interview" published on 11-08-05 by Magnet |
| "V5-Alchemia: review" published on 10-17-05 by adamar.com |
| "Review: The Color of Memory" published on 09-22-05 by AllMusic.com |
| "Review: The Color of Memory" published on 09-12-05 by AllAboutJazz.com |
| "Alchemia: review" published on 08-25-05 by AllAboutJazz.com |
| "Alchemia: review (Spanish)" published on 08-05-05 by tomajazz.com |
| "Review: Elements of Style...Exercises in Surprise" published on 10-01-04 by Downbeat |
| "Review: Elements of Style...Exercises in Surprise" published on 09-01-04 by Tomajazz.com |
| "Alchemia, Krakow, 15-19.03.2004" published on 05-01-04 by Jazz & Classics (Poland) |
| "El asombro que llega del vacio" published on 11-15-03 by Diario de Sevilla |
| "Review: Free Jazz Classics" published on 04-01-03 by Downbeat |
| "OPEN-MINDED JAZZ" published on 02-21-03 by Boston Phoenix |
| "Review: Free Jazz Classics" published on 10-01-02 by The Wire |
