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WEE + 3

July 19, 2017

Live at the Bistro

May 22, 2016

“If live albums are where a group gets to show what it’s really made of, this one should be considered a ringing success. Live At The Bistro makes me want to see them in person.” – DownBeat Magazine (four stars)

“As the Wee Trio, vibraphonist James Westfall, bassist Dan Loomis, and drummer Jared Schonig balance the rock ‘n’ roll attitude of the Bad Plus with the capricious classicism of the Modern Jazz Quartet—they somehow evoke both John Lewis and Ethan Iverson without even so much as a piano.” – Will Friedwald, The Wall Street Journal

“The Wee Trio Live at the Bistro is bountiful in talent and big in sound.” – Geraldine Wyckoff, OffBeat

“On their recently released fourth album, they display edgy infectious energy, eliciting the kinds of audience responses more prevalent at rock shows than comparatively staid jazz concerts . . . a more wholesome sum than each part . . . ” – Tom Greenland, The New York City Jazz Record

“The Wee Trio are part of a new breed that doesn’t just serve up solos over the chord changes, but . . . deploys fresh-sounding arrangements that suggest the creation of structural shapes on the fly.” – Peter Margasak, The Chicago Reader

“As impressive as The Wee Trio’s first 3 CDs are, “Live at The Bistro” really displays their strengths in the best light. This is a group one needs to see and hear in person. Find this recording then go find the band – you will not regret one minute! The music is irrepressible and irresistible.” – Richard Kamins, Step Tempest

“The trio works as a complete team, and uses a repertoire that ranges from Tin Pan Alley to standards to modern rock, and make it all work like a seamless tapestry.” – JazzWeekly

“These guys are confident, polished and energetic. There is nothing ‘wee’ about their sound!” – O’s Place Jazz Magazine

“The Wee Trio represents the highly creative groups pushing jazz and improvised music in exciting and innovative directions.” – WICN 90.5 FM – Jazz for New England

Ashes to Ashes: A David Bowie Intraspective

May 22, 2016

Audiophile Audition

“an investigative vehicle which shakes with energy . . . inventive jazz which works on its ownmerits while retaining Bowie’s spirit and self- assurance..” – Doug Simpson Audiophile Audition read full article here

 

Boston Globe

” . . . infectious . . . raucous . . . More, please.”. – Steve Greenlee Boston Globe read full article here

 

Offbeat

“The trio approaches Bowie’s catalogue with seriousness; unlike some tracks by jazz-band-on-rock the Bad Plus, there’s no sense that the Wee Trio’s riding the novelty of the enterprise” –Alex Rawls Offbeat read full article here

 

Digital Jazz News

“The Future of Modern Jazz! ”  Critical Jazz read full article here

 

DownBeat

“The members of the Wee Trio are chameleons in every sense of the word. Like the subject of their latest venture, Ashes to Ashes: A David Bowie Intraspective, the trio’s ability to shapeshift musically, and adapt to an arsenal of individual influences, is what helped group blend sosuccinctly . . .”

 

Time Out Chicago

“pop hits with postbop aplomb.”

 

ICON

“A sonic playground that’s grounded with dazzling teamplay . . . manically fun”

 

The Sante Fe New Mexican – Pasatiempo

” . . . what a fun trip it is. The Wee Trio’s work here is nothing, if not engaging.”

 

AllAboutJazz.com

“Indeed, a hugely entertaining album encompassing an uncanny mix of Bowie’s pop sensibilities with upbeat progressive jazz stylizations and adroitly executed dialogues.”

 

The Patriot Ledger

“Even among the inventive ranks of jazz musicians, the Wee Trio is a group of iconoclasts. The trio loves to play a style of music with bigger dynamics than most rock, more groove than a lot of modern soul, and certainly more excitement and accessibility than a lot of contemporary jazz . . .The Wee Trio’s music moves and grooves, thunders and crashes, and caresses delicate
nuances of melody too.”

 

State of Mind

“Ashes to Ashes is the best kind of tribute disc: Rooted in respect, fueled by inspiration, and allowing the tribute-makers to put their own indelible mark on the music”

 

The Democrat and Chronicle

“The music makes a wonderful jumping-off point for these inventive musicians . . . a take-no-prisoners romp“

 

eMusic

” . . . some thrilling directions. Nifty recording, and one I hope that inspires other jazz outfits to do the same.”

 

Straight No Chaser 

“For immediate enjoyment, check out The Wee Trio’s new release Ashes to Ashes – A David Bowie Intraspective . . . an enjoyable piece of work from a talented up and coming trio.”

 

The Philadelphia Inquirer

“Moments of majesty”

 

The Indianapolis Star

“Exquisite interpretations of the familiar-sounding but otherworldly Bowie compositions.”

 

The Chicago Reader

“tension and interest with an unpredictable flow—a kind of hot-potato game in which the members take center stage by turns, constantly shifting the intensity and density and taking the occasional succinct solo. The familiarity of the melodies makes it easy to hear how inventively the group transforms the songs”

 

Step Tempest

“Even if you are not a fan of David Bowie’s music, The Wee Trio’s exuberance and intelligent arrangements should please fans of creative music.  Plus, the group really knows how to ‘rock out!”

 

The San Antonio Express News

“the Wee Trio’s third album, ‘Ashes to Ashes: A David Bowie Intraspective’ (Bionic Records), will simply knock you out. It’s rare when an experimental jazz record makes one smile this much.”

 

Examiner.com

“a big, bright persona. They stay true to the Bowie tunes (including the glam-rock
chameleon’s “Battle For Britain” and “1984”). But they find melodic grist for improvisation within them, proving that stripped of their wilder trappings, these remnants of Ziggy’s Stardust actually have plenty of tuneful charm.”

 

Something Else!

“confidently, memorably, brilliantly exploratory – both familiar and something that stands all on its own”

Capitol Diner Vol. II

May 22, 2016

Jazz Times

“Refreshing…no one-note jam band…intelligent, highly interactive tracks“ – JazzTimes

 

All About Jazz

“These players share a marvelous sense of artistry, where everything they do shines with purpose and precision”” J Hunter All About Jazz

 

Hot House

“The Wee Trio is an energetic group…this album reveals a band that is onto something, and I like where this is going.” – David Hill Hot House

 

All About Jazz

“The Wee’s got its own potent flavor, one that combines a heady blend of modernly attuned composition and robust trio symmetry…Capitol Diner Vol. 2 Animal Style is a breath of fresh air from an exciting group.” – Mark F. Turner All About Jazz

 

The Philadelphia Daily News

“…another helping of inventive, indie rock-flavored jazz.” – The Philadelphia Daily News

 

Something Else!

“Irresistible and fresh…Rooted in jazz but ferociously branching out into the more primitive ethos of rock.” – Victor Aaron Something Else!

 

Step Tempest – Richard Kamins

“They compose to each other’s strengths, the deep, rich, sonorities of Loomis’s bass, the hard drive and propulsive quality of Schonig’s drums and Westfall’s melodic flair. “Animal Style” shows The Wee Trio has grown since its debut and there is still room for more.” – Richard Kamins Step Tempest

 

Sun Gazette

“The band is pretty hard-hitting in the sense that’s it’s a really energetic, dynamic group” – Matthew Parrish The Sun Gazette

Capitol Diner Vol. 1

May 22, 2016

Downbeat

“The Wee Trio often veers from the expected…questioning the rules of jazz orthodoxy. They keep the music substantive and riddled with direction surprises. Definitely a group to watch. ” – Peter Margasak Downbeat

 

The Boston Globe

“a winning debut”  “as true to the jazz tradition as it is to their freewheeling tastes.” – Siddhartha Mitter The Boston Globe read full article here

 

San Francisco Chronicle

“The Wee Trio consists of jazzmen who grew up on rock ‘n’ roll and aren’t afraid to play it.With James Westfall’s vibes in the forefront, the group has a fresh sound, and bassist Dan Loomis and drummer Jared Schonig flow like the tides. Wee’s sound is not wee, it’s huge ” – San Francisco Chronicle

 

The Patriot Ledger

“One of the year’s most riveting albums . . .” – Jay Miller The Patriot Ledger

 

The Philly Daily News

“The Wee Trio have found a unique slant, not only in their vibes/bass/drums instrumentation but in their lyrical songwriting and flowing interaction.” Shaun Brady The Philly Daily News

 

New Orleans Times-Picayunne

“an immediate musical simpatico” – Keith Spera Times Picayunne

 

The Boston Herald

“Bulging with even more muscular jazz chops than the Bad Plus but displaying more earthbound taste than the late, lamented E.S.T., the Brooklyn-based Wee Trio makes a larger than wee splash on its debut.” – Kevin R. Convey The Boston Herald

 

All About Jazz

“’Lightning in a bottle’” is an excellent metaphor for The Wee Trio’s Capitol Diner Vol. 1, given how the music crackles like high-tension wires in a rainstorm.”  “grabs the listener by the lapels and yanks-hard.” – J Hunter All About Jazz

 

All About Jazz (2nd Review)

James Westfall, Dan Loomis, and Jared Schonig play with fervent audacity, stretching the kinetic limits of their respective instruments. – Troy Collins All About Jazz

 

Metaljazz

“Joining the Bad Plus, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and the Leviathan Brothers on the national scene, Brooklyn’s The Wee Trio are stirring up jazz you don’t have to be old to enjoy, bring a teen.” – Greg Burk Metaljazz.com

 

About.com

“The Wee Trio is capable of a full, powerful sound, streams of furiously articulated lines and fills. This is a jazz trio that just wants to rock.” – Jacob Teichroew About.com

 

Blogcritics.com

“Intriguing combination of which to my knowledge there’s no peer in jazz, or any other kind of music”  “The Trio traverses over jazz, pop, grunge, and anything else that gives them a vehicle for pursuing richly intense, vibe-led, acoustic trio music. The Wee Trio is already one vibe trio that’s a force to be reckoned with.” – Nick Deriso Blogcritics.com

 

The Saratogian

“The trio puts forth a compelling case that they are the ambassadors of the genre’s future.” – The Saratogian

 

The Buffalo News

“”How exciting, you might ask, can a vibes/bass/drum trio be? Well listen to these three and you’ll find out.” – Jeff Simon The Buffalo News

 

Hartford Courant

“largely entertaining” – Richard Camins Hartford Courant

 

Midwest Record

“Mixing their jazz outlook with their punk ethos and some Zappa undertones, they craft a nice set of punchy new jazz. With an eye and ear for the offbeat, this crew has a knack for turning life’s lemons into musical lemonade.” – Chris Spector Midwest Record

 

O’s Place – Jazz Newsletter

“They strike a good balance swinging on ‘We See’, adding bebop on ‘Pisces’, and mesmerizing us with tunes like ‘There Is No Greater Love’ and ‘Satyagraha’ ” – D. Oscar Groomes O’s Place Jazz Newsletter

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