Boston T Party

Last updated
Boston T Party
Chambers Berlin Fiuczynski Lavitz Boston T Party.jpg
Studio album by
Released2006
RecordedSeptember 2005
StudioWellspring Sound, Acton, Massachusetts; Media Central Studios, Brandon, Florida
Genre Jazz fusion
Length59:13
Label Mascot
TC 40432
Producer T Lavitz

Boston T Party is an album by drummer Dennis Chambers, bassist Jeff Berlin, guitarist David Fiuczynski, and keyboardist T Lavitz. It was recorded in Massachusetts and Florida during September 2005, and was released in 2006 by Mascot Records. [1] [2]

Contents

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
All About Jazz Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
PopMatters Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [4]

In a review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow wrote: "Keyboardist T Lavitz heads an all-star quartet and composed most of the material heard here, music that is full of intensity, fire, constant interplay between the players, and passion. Although there are some brilliant solos, the main significance to this music is how the four musicians all fit together and form exciting ensembles." [1]

Woodrow Wilkins of All About Jazz described the music as "quirky, wild, and most of all, fun," and stated: "The quartet delivers a musical smorgasbord. There's a bit of rock, accented by jazz, fusion, funk and other assorted sounds—sometimes all within a single track... Chambers delivers some strong licks without getting in the way of his bandmates' solos... keeping within the structure but at the same time playing with freedom to explore. The same can be said of all the musicians throughout the album." [3]

Writing for PopMatters , Robert R. Calder commented: "everything’s aimed at viscerally emotive effects... These guys play on their pulses, and rather than settling into one or another line or specifiable range of development the music can change or move in an enormous range of ways." [4]

In an article for Jazz Times , Mike Shanley remarked: "Boston T Party is built around writing as much as blowing... The group acts as a supportive environment to inspire the soloist without overplaying." [5]

Sea of Tranquility's Pete Pardo wrote: "Boston T Party is a funky, jazzy, & rockin' good time from start to finish... the album is a treat for fusion fans and lets the band show their instrumental prowess and at the same time crank out some solid melodies... If you like modern day fusion with an aggressive edge, Boston T Party will be right up your alley." [6]

Track listing

  1. "D'funk'd" (T Lavitz) – 6:25
  2. "(Great) Ball of Issues" (T Lavitz) – 5:39
  3. "Around About Way" (T Lavitz) – 6:41
  4. "I Hate the Blues...(But Here's One Anyway)" (Jeff Berlin) – 5:56
  5. "All Thought Out" (T Lavitz) – 6:46
  6. "Emotional Squalor" (T Lavitz) – 8:26
  7. "Deff 184" (Jeff Berlin, Dennis Chambers, T Lavitz) – 1:46
  8. "Last Trane" (Dave Fiuczynski) – 3:10
  9. "Constant Comment" (T Lavitz) – 7:46
  10. "Foxy Morons" (Jeff Berlin) – 6:38

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Scofield</span> American jazz guitarist and composer (born 1951)

John Scofield is an American guitarist and composer whose music over a long career has blended jazz, jazz fusion, funk, blues, soul and rock. He first came to mainstream attention in the band of Miles Davis, and has toured and recorded with many prominent jazz artists, including saxophonists Eddie Harris, Dave Liebman, Joe Henderson and Joe Lovano; keyboardists George Duke, Joey DeFrancesco, Herbie Hancock, Larry Goldings and Robert Glasper; fellow guitarists Pat Metheny, John Abercrombie, Pat Martino and Bill Frisell; bassists Marc Johnson and Jaco Pastorius; and drummer Billy Cobham and Dennis Chambers. Outside the world of jazz, he has collaborated with Phil Lesh, Mavis Staples, John Mayer, Medeski Martin & Wood, and Gov’t Mule.

<i>One of a Kind</i> (Bruford album) 1979 studio album by Bruford

One of a Kind is the second solo album by the drummer Bill Bruford, and the first proper album by his band Bruford. Released in 1979 on EG Records, it is a collection of instrumentals in a style that can loosely be defined as jazz fusion. Bruford features guitarist Allan Holdsworth, bassist Jeff Berlin, and keyboardist Dave Stewart. "Forever Until Sunday" and "The Sahara of Snow" had originally been performed at 1978 concerts by Bruford and Holdsworth’s previous band U.K. They were intended for a studio album, but were never properly recorded by U.K. as Bruford kept the pieces for himself when he and Holdsworth exited the band. U.K. bandmate Eddie Jobson co-wrote "The Sahara of Snow" and reprises his violin part on "Forever Until Sunday". Stewart's "Hell's Bells" utilizes a fragment penned by his former National Health colleague Alan Gowen. Holdsworth's "The Abingdon Chasp" is the only piece he wrote for Bruford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dixie Dregs</span> American rock band

Dixie Dregs is an American rock band from Augusta, Georgia. Formed in 1970, the band's performance consists entirely of instrumentals that fuse elements of diverse genres such as rock, classical music, country, jazz and bluegrass into an eclectic sound that is difficult to categorize. Recognized for their virtuoso playing, the Dixie Dregs were identified with the southern rock, progressive rock and jazz fusion scenes of the 1970s.

<i>Gradually Going Tornado</i> 1980 studio album by Bruford

Gradually Going Tornado is the third solo album by drummer Bill Bruford and the second and final album by his group Bruford. It was co-produced by Bruford and Ron Malo, the latter known from his work with Weather Report. The music on the album leans closer to progressive rock than the jazz fusion oriented sound of the band’s previous albums. More of Bruford's lyrics are featured as well, for the first time sung by bassist Jeff Berlin. "Land's End" incorporates music keyboardist Dave Stewart has previously composed for the National Health album Of Queues and Cures (1978). Guitarist Allan Holdsworth does not appear, and he recommended John Clark as his replacement in the band after he had given Clark several guitar lessons. Clark was listed on the album sleeve as "the unknown John Clark" as part of a running joke related to his relative obscurity in comparison to his predecessor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Stern</span> American jazz guitarist (born 1953)

Mike Stern is an American jazz guitarist. After playing with Blood, Sweat & Tears, he worked with drummer Billy Cobham, then with trumpeter Miles Davis from 1981 to 1983 and again in 1985. He then began a solo career, releasing more than a dozen albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Fiuczynski</span> American contemporary jazz guitarist (born 1964)

David Fiuczynski is an American contemporary jazz guitarist, best known as the leader of the Screaming Headless Torsos and David Fiuczynski's KiF, and as a member of Hasidic New Wave. He has played on more than 95 albums as a session musician, band leader, or band member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Lorber</span> American jazz keyboardist

Jeffrey H. Lorber is an American keyboardist, composer, and record producer. After six previous nominations, Lorber won his first Grammy Award on January 28, 2018 for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for Prototype by his band the Jeff Lorber Fusion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laszlo Gardony</span> Hungarian-American jazz pianist and composer

Laszlo Gardony is a Hungarian-born American jazz pianist and composer. Gardony performs as a solo artist and leads his own trio, quartet and sextet. He is also a featured sideman with several other groups.

Jazz is Dead is an instrumental Grateful Dead cover band that interprets classic Dead songs with jazz influences. The group is notable in featuring veterans of jazz and jazz fusion ensembles. The group's composition has changed over time, and T Lavitz was the band's only constant member until they reformed in 2015.

<i>Loud Jazz</i> 1988 studio album by John Scofield

Loud Jazz is a studio album by jazz guitarist John Scofield. It is the second recording to feature bass guitarist Gary Grainger and drummer Dennis Chambers. Also appearing are keyboardist George Duke and percussionist Don Alias.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T Lavitz</span> Musical artist

Terry "T" Lavitz was an American keyboardist, composer and producer. He is best known for his work with the Dixie Dregs and Jazz Is Dead.

<i>Feels Good to Me</i> 1978 studio album by Bruford

Feels Good to Me is the 1978 debut solo album by former Yes and King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford. The band Bruford grew out of the line-up assembled for this album. The album features guitarist Allan Holdsworth, bassist Jeff Berlin, keyboardist Dave Stewart, and ECM stalwart Kenny Wheeler on fluegelhorn. Bruford also enlisted singer-songwriter Annette Peacock and Brand X guitarist John Goodsall. Dave Stewart was a pivotal figure in the music of the Canterbury scene with groups like Egg, Hatfield and the North and National Health, but despite his strong playing presence, the album does not sound much like the Canterbury bands, and is instead closer to contemporaries Brand X.

<i>Directions</i> (Miles Davis album) 1981 compilation album by Miles Davis

Directions is a compilation album by American jazz musician Miles Davis, released in 1981 by Columbia Records. It collects previously unreleased outtakes that Davis recorded between 1960 and 1970. Directions was the last of a series of compilation albums - mostly consisting of, at that time, previously unreleased music - that Columbia released to bridge Davis' recording hiatus that ended with The Man with the Horn in July 1981.

<i>Water Sign</i> (Jeff Lorber album) 1979 studio album by The Jeff Lorber Fusion

Water Sign is the third album by keyboardist Jeff Lorber as leader of his band "The Jeff Lorber Fusion". Released in 1979, this was Lorber's first album on Arista Records.

<i>Great Sky River</i> (album) 2001 live album by Jazz Is Dead

Great Sky River is a live album by the instrumental Grateful Dead cover band Jazz Is Dead. The band's third release, it was recorded at the IMAC Theater in Huntington, New York, and was issued in 2001 by Zebra Records. The album features guitarist Jimmy Herring, keyboard player T. Lavitz, bassist Alphonso Johnson, and drummer Rod Morgenstein.

<i>Endangered Species</i> (Endangered Species album) 2001 studio album by Jimmy Herring, T. Lavitz, Richie Hayward, Kenny Gradney

Endangered Species is the debut album by the band of the same name. The group's sole release, it was issued in 2001 by Tone Center Records. The album features guitarist Jimmy Herring, keyboardist T. Lavitz, drummer Richie Hayward, and bassist Kenny Gradney.

<i>School of the Arts</i> (album) 2007 studio album by School of the Arts featuring T Lavitz

School of the Arts is the debut album by the group of the same name, founded and led by keyboardist T Lavitz. It was recorded in 2007, and was released later that year by Magnatude Records. On the album, which was the group's sole release, and which features mostly acoustic instruments, Lavitz is joined by guitarists Frank Gambale and Steve Morse, violinist Jerry Goodman, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Dave Weckl.

<i>Cosmic Farm</i> 2005 studio album by Rob Wasserman, Craig Erickson, T Lavitz, and Jeff Sipe

Cosmic Farm is an album by bassist Rob Wasserman, guitarist Craig Erickson, keyboardist T Lavitz, and drummer Jeff Sipe. It was recorded in California, and was released in 2005 by Tone Center Records. Bassoonist Paul Hanson also appears on four tracks.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Yanow, Scott. "T Lavitz: Boston T Party". AllMusic. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  2. "Boston T Party". Jazz Music Archives. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Wilkins, Woodrow (March 26, 2006). "Chambers / Berlin / Fiuczynski / Lavitz: Boston T Party". All About Jazz. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Calder, Robert R. (April 20, 2006). "Dennis Chambers / Jeff Berlin / Dave Fiuczynski / T Lavitz: Boston T Party". PopMatters. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  5. Shanley, Mike (May 1, 2006). "Dennis Chambers, Jeff Berlin, Dave Fiuczynski, T Lavitz: Boston T Party". Jazz Times. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  6. Pardo, Pete (July 23, 2006). "Boston T Party: Boston T Party". Sea of Tranquility. Retrieved September 21, 2022.