The New Quartet
The New Quartet brings together four exceptional performers with greatly varied backgrounds to create works that cross musical boundaries and find common ground between different world music traditions.
Peoria saxophonist & flutist Greg Ward is a sideman with some of Chicago’s straight-ahead jazz masters. Israeli violinist Carmel Raz is an experienced chamber musician and soloist in the European classical tradition. The Chicago rhythm section of bassist & guitarist Karl E. H. Seigfried and drummer & percussionist Chris Avgerin anchors many groups on the cutting of edge of both jazz and rock in the city.
Links
Discography
Blue Rhizome ICR003
Praise for Blue Rhizome:
CHICAGO WEEKLY (USA)
Organic and coherent to the novice and the aficionado alike.
ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER (USA)
It’s almost impossible to believe, but Blue Rhizome was recorded live in one continuous take. The New Quartet expertly and seamlessly glides through avant-garde and jazz fusion (”Fortress Of Solitude”), some thick, caramelized blues (”Interlude I: The Blue & The Black”), and some crunchy rock (”Destroy All Monsters”). The improvisational precision is crisp, and balance of musical styles provides a complex lushness. The New Quartet delivers a virtuoso performance so stunning in concept and execution, it must be heard to be believed.
CADENCE MAGAZINE (USA)
From Chicago comes yet another collective filled with imagination and purpose. Blue Rhizome invokes a mixture of Jazz, Rock, Improv, and Chamber musics. Inspired by the challenges of life, Seigfried uses the "Overture" to to announce recurring themes with a decidedly Folk tinge, with "Underture" summing up what has come before. As a technique, Seigfried uses various connecting interludes that focus on groove and feature each player. The instrumental standout is Ward, an underappreciated force in Chicago, though one gaining increased notice, who shines on "Interlude I: The Blue & The Black." Raz is also impressive on pieces like the understated "A Distant Beauty." Seigfried takes a shot as well on the joyous ditty, "Interlude III: Sometimes, There Is Love."
AUFABWEGEN MAGAZIN (GERMANY)
Angeführt vom Bassisten Karl E.H. Seigfried spielt das New Quartet aus Chicago eine sehr emotional aufgeladene Form des Jazz. Ausgehend von einer regelrechten Gefühlskrise reflektieren die Stücke auf Blue Rhizome die verschiedenen Stadien der Betrübtheit, welches aus dem Wissen um die Endlichkeit des menschlichen Lebens entstanden ist. Ein grosses Thema des Albums auch in musikalischer Hinsicht ist das Überschreiten von Grenzen und das Hinterfragen der eigenen Werturteile. So rückt dieses recht nüchtern präsentierte Werk in seiner stilistischen Offenheit und tänzelnden Schwermut in die Nähe der Post-Rock-Produktionen aus dem Hause Constellation, auch wenn man es in keinem Plattenladen unter “Indie” finden wird. Echte Empfehlung für Offenherzige!