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Montreal Gazette -
Excerpt
Something about the romance of Montreal draws jazz
musicians who are seeking to broaden horizons in a lively environment
that weaves a bit of Europe into North America. The latest is the exciting
and agile alto saxophonist Shawn Loescher, 27, ho has settled here for
San Diego. A graduate of the Berklee School in Boston, he hones his craft
in Europe and displays remarkable maturity on his trio CD Distance. Judging
from the album, he also is a fine composer who evokes a broad emotional
range improvising in a drums-and-bass setting. Loescher performs tonight
and tomorrow at Upstairs Jazz Club, 1254 Mackay St., with Michel Lambert
on drums and Frederic Alarie on bass. $15 show time is 10 p.m.
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Irwin Block
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The Saxophone
Journal -
Excerpt
The saxophone in the hands of the right performer is the voice
of the heart and the eyes into the soul. The warmth and beauty of the
instrument is joy to be heard. And as we all know there are two sides
to every pendulum swing and for every exquisite moment of pure joy there
is a payback with the opposite swing of the weight. It is indeed a rare
moment when a soloist comes along with the intuitive comprehension of
an instrument's subtleties and can intertwine and meld that comprehension
with the complexities of his or her own musical essence. The artist must
find the freedom to be themselves with their art and yet not dismiss
all that has led them to this point in their creative vocations.
This
CD titled Distance (Shawn Loescher trio) is such a
work. It is an apotheosis of the work of three young musicians who
have cumulatively created an intense work of art. As the title of
the CD implies Shawn Loescher in the founder and director of this
magnificent endeavor. In the past we have heard many classical soloists
and ensemble cross over the line into the jazz playing field quite
successfully. This time we have an excellent jazz soloist and ensemble
crossing the line into the classical arena. The classical scriptures
are structural and enforced through the composed structures of Shawn’s
talents. As a result there is an organized pathway through the compositions
that pays as much homage to Bach as it does to Phil Woods.
Three
is not a whole lot of instruments to work with, but when you realize
that the trio is Shawn’s alto, with bassist Robert Balzar
and drummer Marek Patrman, you realize how challenging this project
can be. Within seconds of the trios playing you will be totally engulfed
by the music and forget to listen for the instrumentation. It is a
thrill to hear a three part fugue with this ensemble or for that matter
the traditional approach to melodic motivic development. The trio has
managed to capture the classical structure and still keep the spontaneous
spirit of jazz alive.
-Joe Viola
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JazzReview.com - Excerpt
There aren't many musicians with the technical,
inventive and emotional resources needed to hold the listeners' attention
through extended solos. One is the old master, Sonny Rollins. Another
is alto saxophonist Loescher. Each will bring you with him on his
musical journey: Rollins through melodic exuberance, Loescher with
emotional intensity. Loescher, a 1995 Berklee graduate, is now based
in Montreal after a stay in Europe where he developed a reputation
as a performer, educator, and composer. The previously reviewed CD, "Distance",
was the product of his European trio.
"Shadows" builds from the high standard set for "Distance." The
trio's instrumentation is unchanged (alto, bass, drums) and their
cohesiveness is undiminished. Loescher's band mates now include two
world class Canadian musicians, drummer Michel Lambert and bassist
Frédéric Alarie. Lambert, who comes from a long line
of classical artists, paints and also composes. His subtle and sympathetic
percussion on this session is workshop material for aspiring drummers.
Bassist Alarie is equally colorful and creative.
In this CD, recorded live at Cigare du Pharaon
in Montreal during October 2001, the group explores all the possibilities
of two interesting Loescher compositions, Gary Mc Farland's "Gary's Waltz" and
several standards from the great American songbook (Days of Wine
and Roses, Alone Together, My Funny Valentine, All the Things You
Are. When Sunny Gets Blue.) You'll be captivated throughout by the
energy and innovation of these three artists. On the other hand,
Loescher's opening chorus on "When Sunny Gets Blue" is
a highlight. It shows how straight melody can be illuminated by expression
and feeling.
This is really a trio, not a reed player plus rhythm. To Loescher's
credit, and as I've said before, the group exhibits the rapport of
the Evans-Motian-LaFaro threesome of long ago. Another superior release
by Loescher.
-Bill Falconer |
All
Music Guide 
