Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
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| JFJO / Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey | ||
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| Background information | ||
| Origin | Tulsa, Oklahoma | |
| Genre(s) | Jazz Fusion | |
| Years active | 1994–Present | |
| Members | ||
| Brian Haas: Pianist Jason Smart: Drummer Reed Mathis: Bassist, "Effects Wizard", Guitarist |
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The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey (or JFJO or simply The Fred) is a jazz group founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1994. Personnel are Brian Haas (piano), Jason Smart (drums) and Reed Mathis (bass/guitar/special effects).
Critic Alex Henderson describes the band's music as "mildly avant-garde blend of jazz, rock and funk [that] draws on a wide variety of influences ... Often quirky, eccentric and abstract, JFJO favors an inside/outside approach but is usually more inside than outside."[1], while critic Scott Yanow describes the group as "fascinating".[2]
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[edit] Band history
Originating in Tulsa, OK as an octet with a horn section in 1994, JFJO became a trio in about 2000. Haas and Mathis have been playing together for almost fourteen years (Smart joined in about 2001) and have toured often, opening for the likes of Sound Tribe Sector 9 and Al Di Meola, and have shared the stage with Les Claypool, Steve Kimock and the Everyone Orchestra.
One of the most notable aspects of their music is Mathis’ use of the bass guitar as a lead instrument, with substantial and unusual use of special effects.
In 2004, JFJO released their first album with noted producer Joel Dorn's Hyena Records, Walking with Giants, comprised entirely of originals. 2005 saw the release of their second Hyena album, The Sameness of Difference, a collection of cover songs written by diverse musicians (such asBjörk, Brian Wilson, Charles Mingus, Dave Brubeck and Neil Young).
In 2006, JFJO released Tomorrow We'll Know Today, a digital exclusive album containing re-mastered live tracks from the US and Europe.
[edit] Members
- Brian Haas - Acoustic piano, Rhodes piano (various models) and Melodica
- Reed Mathis - Fender Jazz Bass with effects pedals, Double Bass, Cello, Espana Acoustic Bass Guitar, Gibson Les Paul, SWR Goliath III Cabinet
- Jason Smart - Drums
[edit] Discography & Album Descriptions
| Album cover | Album information |
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Tomorrow We'll Know Today: Live in USA and Europe
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The Sameness of Difference
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4 Improvisations For The Ghosts
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Walking With Giants
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Symbiosis Osmosis
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Slow Breath, Silent Mind
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Telluride is Acoustic
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All Is One: Live in New York City
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Self Is Gone
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Bloom
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Live At Your Mama's House
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Sean Layton: A Musical Retrospective |
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Welcome Home
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Live In Tokyo
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Live At The Lincoln Continental
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[edit] References
- ^ [1] Henderson, Alex "Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey" from Allmusic.com URL accessed February 02, 2007
- ^ [2] Yannow, Scott, "Slow Breath, Silent Mind" review from Allmusic.com; URL accessed February 02, 2007
