Ed Neumeister
Press Reviews
"Trombonist Ed Neumeister, a veteran improviser and bandleader known to spearhead brave feats of experimentalism, gets deep inside the rock music of his youth — five familiar tunes by the Beatles, two by Led Zeppelin, one made famous by Otis Redding and another hatched only a few years ago by Taylor Swift — on his latest outing. A collection of other artists’ popular tunes that serve as fresh fodder for his quartet, augmented on select tracks by a three-piece woodwind section, Covers represents an entirely fresh tack for Neumeister, who has been operating at the forefront of creative music for more than 40 years and has released over a dozen albums under his own name. In addition, he has collaborated as a player and composer with virtually everyone under the jazz sun, and he’s been a member of classic ensembles like the Buddy Rich Big Band, the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra and Lionel Hampton’s groups. The core band on Covers includes Gary Versace on piano, organ and accordion, bassists Drew Gress (on seven tracks) and Cameron Brown (on three), and Tom Rainey on drums. Billy Drewes, Caroline Davis and Ingrid Laubrock join the fray on three neatly arranged tracks, providing supplemental saxophones, flutes and clarinets as needed. Covers amounts to a deeply personal expression from Neumeister, a reflection on at time in his life when he was barely familiar with the jazz world he would soon inhabit with all its creative potential. It’s the sound of top-level jazz players making music for the sheer enjoyment of it, with just enough planning to keep form intact and synchronize the brilliant reharmonizations dreamed up by Neumeister and Versace. Neumeister puts his own idiosyncratic personal touches on the melodies of these memorable songs, while Versace holds the reins on the harmony, sometimes asserting bold and bright chord substitutions, and at other moments setting free any notion of “changes” whatsoever. The entire recording comes across as a chill hang where the free spirits frequently venture into whimsical territory while still showing tremendous respect for the source material and investing absolute trust in their leader’s modern-nostalgic vision." - Ed Enright, DownBeat Magazine - Editor's Pick - Four Stars
"Veteran trombonist-composer Ed Neumeister definitely fits into his own musical category. While his history includes being a member of the Mercer Ellington Orchestra, the Mel Lewis Orchestra and Gerry Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band, he also spent 17 years teaching and work-ing in Europe, wrote for films while based in Los Angeles, and along the way developed his own individual approach to improvising and writing for jazz-based groups . . . On What Have I Done?, Neumeister's compositions utilize what he calls 'harmonic references' rather than chord changes, the notes in his melodies are unusual, and many of the improvisations are based on new and invented chords and scales. Each of the members of his quartet is an important part of the often-rhythmic melody statements rather than being accompanists to his trombone. Their colorful and concise solos uplift the music with the improvisations being a logical extension of Neumeister's pieces." - Scott Yanow, DownBeat Magazine
“Ed Neumeister is the Picasso of music. Testing the grounds of music and in the process creating his own unique style and sound that should not be missed. He is a treasure of the music world.” – Holli Harms, The Front Row Center
“In the often captivating mix of idiosyncrasy and elegance of this intriguing set, the American trombonist, composer and educator Ed Neumeister seems to be implying, at 69, that he still dreams of a life outside of the admiring trap of 'musicians' musician' . . . Jazz from a rather specialised side-alley perhaps, but it's strikingly personal, and unexpectedly edgy at times.” – John Fordham, JazzWise Magazine
"A musician's musician, trombonist Ed Neumeister has not only played with several of the great big bands in modern jazz – including those led by Ellington, Hampton, Mel Lewis and Buddy Rich – but also has become a clear triple-threat as player, composer and arranger . . .The new album with its tight arrangements and dynamic band interplay, should go a long way toward making people aware of his prodigious talents."– Lee Mergner, JazzTimes Magazine
"I came late to the trombonist’s world. First time I caught him was a few springs ago, when he dazzled a tiny throng at iBeam with his agility on that somewhat unwieldy horn, his intrepid writing approach, and his wise choice of bandmates. Bought a copy of What Have I Done? and played it a LOT. There’s a grace to his gliding tunes, regardless of how many zig-zags they deliver. Since then, there’s been Counterpoint, a Martin Wind and Jim McNeely adventure (with a sublime ‘Blame It On My Youth’), as well as a glance at the rock tunes of the 72-year-old’s heyday. Covers is Beatles-centric, but Otis and Zep show up too, and if you’re one who usually winces when you hear an improviser updating ‘The Fool On The Hill,’ ‘Dear Prudence’ or ‘Rocky Racoon,’ you might wanna tap the brakes and give this baby a chance. With a rhythm section of bassist Drew Gress, pianist Gary Versace, and drummer Tom Rainey at Smalls, you know everything should be heading in the right direction." - Jim Macnie, Lament For A Straight Line (Must-See Three)
“I’ve worked with Ed since the ’80s, when we played in the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra together. We’ve done many projects since in Europe and New York, and now he plays in my Nonet. He is an inspired arranger, composer and conductor, as well as a soloist of deep expressive passion.” – Joe Lovano
“Veteran trombonist-composer Ed Neumeister definitely fits into his own musical category . . . Each of the members of his quartet is an important part of the often-rhythmic melody statements . . . Their colorful and concise solos uplift the music with the improvisations being a logical extension of Neumeister’s pieces . . .” – Scott Yanow, DownBeat Magazine
"These days, Neumeister has been focusing on recording his own music. What Have I Done? is a through-composed suite, though adapted by the musicians working with him, drawing ideas from the score as they added their own improvisations and transformed the music into a quartet setting. The beauty of these performances is that none of the players are accompanists, instead integral parts of the resulting
music. . . . Rarely does a trombonist show such versatility on his horn within a CD. Expect to find What Have I Done? on many critics’ Best of 2021 lists." - Ken Dryden, The New York City Jazz Record
“A living legend” –
Cicily Janus, The New Face of Jazz, Billboard Books
"The veteran trombonist and songwriter Ed Neumeister surrounds himself with excellent company here, where 2 different ensembles illustrate much versatility and skill across the 14 exciting tracks . . . Even though most of these recordings date back to 2001 and 2002, they sound very modern and stylish, where vocal improvisations and a highly iconoclastic version of jazz that has gained much respect from his peers makes for a sizable impression. " - Take Effect Reviews
"Ed Neumeister may just be the best jazz trombonist you never heard. The softspoken Neumeister, with his stylish white goatee and almost shoulder-length mane, presents a striking image. With technique that takes the trombone to new heights and a flair for playing a wide range of styles, Neumeister has built a career as a top-flight composer, arranger, improviser and teacher . . . Over the course of a long career, Neumeister has distinguished himself as a total musician, one who hasmastered the trombone and the tools of composition . . ." - Steven Loewy, The New York City Jazz Record
"What Have I Done?, Ed Neumeister Quartet (MeisteroMusic), finds the trombonist joined by pianist Gary Versace, bassist Drew Gress, and drummer Tom Rainey. Ed creates a wide tonal palette, both open and with a variety of mutes. His arrangements are structured like intricate blueprints. 'Riverwalk,' the opening track, is a swaying waltz dedicated to Chick Corea that evolves into a series of four-bar trades between his plunger-muted trombone and Gary’s spare, crystalline piano, Ed shifting to open horn for the final refrain. Each piece on the album, save for the final two tracks, is separated by brief interludes, numbered 'slices' of 'Pickled Ginger,' most featuring one instrument. They are surprisingly effective at signaling changes to come." - George Kanzler, Hot House Magazine, Winning Spins
