Malaby, Tony

Paloma Recio

Label: New World Records Country: USA

"Tony Malaby is a highly respected figure in the downtown New York contemporary jazz scene. He is also well known for his versatility, having worked with such groups as Charlie Haden's Liberation Orchestra and the Paul Motian Electric Bebop Band. One of the many groups led by this powerful tenor saxophonist, Paloma Recio can be described as a progressive ensemble with a Spanish tinge. Malaby describes Paloma Recio as "new music dedicated to an angel flying over the Iberian Peninsula by a new quartet of omni-directionally improvising masters of ecstatic lyrical elasticity." The nexus of composition and improvisation has been the subject of much conjecture in recent history, regardless of musical genre. In its broad-ranging sonic expression and flowing improvisational nature, this recording is one response to that discussion. Malaby's vivid compositions artfully blend improvisation and composition and Paloma Recio is further affirmation of his growing stature as a composer.

Originally from Tucson, Arizona, saxophonist/composer Tony Malaby has beenpermanently based in New York since 1995 and has been a member of many notablejazz groups, including Charlie HadenÕs Liberation Music Orchestra, Paul MotianÕsElectric Bebop Band, Mark HeliasÕs Open Loose, Fred HerschÕs Trio + 2 and WaltWhitman project, and bands led by Mario Pavone, Bobby Previte, Tom Varner, MaryEhrlich, Angelica Sanchez, Mark Dresser, and Kenny Wheeler. Malaby leads severalprojects of his own including Apparitions, The Tony Malaby Cello Trio,Tamarindo, and Paloma Recio.

A musician in the New York area for 25 years, Ben Monder has performed with avariety of artists, including Jack McDuff, Marc Johnson, Lee Konitz, GeorgeGarzone, Tim Berne, and Kenny Wheeler. He is a regular member of the MariaSchneider Jazz Orchestra and the Paul Motian Octet, as well as many otherprojects. He has conducted clinics and workshops around the world, and served onthe faculty of the New England Conservatory from 2002Ð2005. Monder continues toperform original music internationally with his own quartet, trio, and in a duoproject with vocalist Theo Bleckmann. He has appeared on more than 100 CDs as asideman, and has released four as a leader.

Born in 1973 in Oslo, Norway, bassist Eivind Opsvik started out playing thedrums at a very early age. In his teens he gradually switched to bass while alsospending a lot of time experimenting with recording on a 4-track tape recorder.He moved to New York City in 1998 to be a part of its rich music scene. His mainfocus is his own band, Overseas, his solo project, and Opsvik & Jennings but heis also currently a member of a number of other New York bands such as ToneCollector, Kris Davis Quartet, Two Miles a Day, David BinneyÕs Out of Airplaneswith Bill Frisell, Rocket Engine, and Ben Gerstein Collective.

Drummer Nasheet Waits is a New York native. His interest in playing the drumswas encouraged by his father, the legendary percussionist Frederick Waits. MaxRoach eventually hired him as a member of the famed percussion ensemble MÕBOOM.Most recently Waits has been a member of Andrew HillÕs various bands, JasonMoranÕs Bandwagon, Fred HerschÕs trio, and Tarbaby, and is the leader of NasheetWaits Equality. He has recorded and performed with a veritable whoÕs who injazz, including Hamiet Bluiett, Peter Brotzmann, Stanley Cowell, and BunkyGreen."-New World Records