...thoroughly engaging...a modern mainstream album that deserves, like the best cream, to find its way to the top of the heap of debut discs...
For his debut recording, the Miami-based reedman enlists his good friend and mentor Dave Liebman, along with Liebman's working band, for an evocative set of modern originals and open-ended jaunts through jazz standards such as Alone Together and Inner Urge. With guitarist Vic Juris, bassist Tony Marino and drummer Michael Stephans, they also explore stylistic tributes to Michael Brecker & Lennie Tristano along with Juris' stunning dedication to the great Shirley Horn, "For Shirley." Winner of a 2009 ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award, Vashlishan further proves with this recording that he's one to keep an eye on.
Track Listing:
1 AMALGAMATION 4:51
2 NO SUCH THING 4:06
3 SAILING 6:20
4 INNER URGE 5:00
5 FOR SHIRLEY 6:56
6 LENNIE'S PLACE 6:48
7 PIECES 4:38
8 BLUES FOR BRECKER 5:21
9 ALONE TOGETHER 7:07
10 286 7:35
Performers:
MATT VASHLISHAN - alto & soprano saxophones, flute
DAVE LIEBMAN - soprano & tenor saxophones
VIC JURIS - guitar
TONY MARINO - acoustic bass
MICHAEL STEPHANS - drums
Production Info:
Produced by Matt Vashlishan and David Liebman
Recorded & mixed by Kent Heckman at Redrock Recording, Saylorsburg PA on December 17 and 18, 2008
Mastered by Richard Rescigno at Mountainside Studios, Mount Pocono PA
Photography by David Coulter, Fran Kaufman
Cover art by Robert Brown
Cover design by John Bishop
Reviews of No Such Thing
Jazz Society of Oregon (George Fendel)
Right from the get-go, one hears Vashlishan's silvery tone, sometimes reminiscent of Paul Desmond or Gary Foster. Most of the tunes here are originals, but it's interesting to note in particular a few which are based on changes to well known standards. Hence, "Amalgamation" is built on "Giant Steps""Solar"; "Lennie's Place""Green Dolphin Street"; a ...
All About Jazz (John Kelman)
With more and more young players releasing their debuts, it's no small challenge to filter one's way to the top of the growing pile of CDs released each month. Saxophonist Matt Vashlishan couldn't have chosen a better route than on No Such Thing. Recruiting three-fourths of saxophonist Dave Liebman's stellar group?not just one of jazz's hardest wor ...
All Music Guide (Adam Greenberg)
Built mostly while studying at the Eastman School, No Such Thing is a collection of ideas in the realm of young jazz, just walking the line between keeping up with the transcriptions of the greats and forming entirely new ideas. Matt Vashlishan holds court for the majority of the album on a mix of alto and soprano sax work, quietly finding the righ ...