MUSIC REVIEW BY George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Tenor saxist Matt Otto blows smoke like a Cohibo cigar on this album of smoky mellow madness. He's teamed with Jeff Harshbarger/b, John Kizilarmut/dr, while mixing and matching Herman Mehari/tp, Matt Villinger/key and Alex Frank/g.
In full band setting, he lets the tenor drift like a nimbus cloud on "Little Things" while showing his influences on the laconic "Hawk" and relaxed swing of "Prez". He creates embers around Harshbarger on "Paw Paw" and glides around Matt's soulful Rhodes on "Melisma" and "Umbra". Unlike most young tenor players, Otto has already learned what NOT to play, which for some is a lesson never appreciated.
In full band setting, he lets the tenor drift like a nimbus cloud on "Little Things" while showing his influences on the laconic "Hawk" and relaxed swing of "Prez". He creates embers around Harshbarger on "Paw Paw" and glides around Matt's soulful Rhodes on "Melisma" and "Umbra". Unlike most young tenor players, Otto has already learned what NOT to play, which for some is a lesson never appreciated.
Soundclips
Other Reviews of
"Umbra":
Take Effect by Tom Haugen
Jazz Views (UK) by Ed Sapiega
WTJU by Russell Perry
All About Jazz by Dan McClenaghan