John Greiner "One honkin', bar walkin' tenor sax dude!" The Gavin Report
Shades
by Scott Yanow
Four lesser-known but talented jazz musicians from the Midwest are featured on this set of standards and post-bop tunes. Tenor saxophonist John Greiner displays a strong improvising style and an appealing sound; he is joined by pianist Mary Louise Knutson, bassist Charlie Hoots, and drummer Mark Ladley (the best-known of the players). Greiner contributed two complex originals, digs into three standards ("I Thought About You," "Like Someone in Love," and "Don't You Know I Care"), and performs two obscure John Coltrane songs: "Satellite" and the never-before recorded "Thing in D Flat." Well-worth searching for.
by Scott Yanow
Four lesser-known but talented jazz musicians from the Midwest are featured on this set of standards and post-bop tunes. Tenor saxophonist John Greiner displays a strong improvising style and an appealing sound; he is joined by pianist Mary Louise Knutson, bassist Charlie Hoots, and drummer Mark Ladley (the best-known of the players). Greiner contributed two complex originals, digs into three standards ("I Thought About You," "Like Someone in Love," and "Don't You Know I Care"), and performs two obscure John Coltrane songs: "Satellite" and the never-before recorded "Thing in D Flat." Well-worth searching for.
From A to B
by Scott Yanow
The John Coltrane-inspired tenor saxophonist John Greiner is in top form throughout the well-conceived From A to B set. Mostly featured in a quartet or quintet with one of two rhythm sections and sometimes either John Allmark or Robert Kase on trumpet, Greiner performs six of his originals and four standards. Highlights include the offbeat and catchy ballad "Remember Me," a stretched-out Coltrane-style blues "From A to B," Horace Silver's obscure "Adjustment," and a trumpet-bass duet on "Star Dust." The musicians all play quite well and deserve to be much better known. This set is easily recommended to fans of modern straight-ahead jazz and is one of Greiner's best recordings to date. ~
Tenor saxophonist's second release, standards and originals Personnel: John Greiner (tenor saxophone); Robert Kase, John Allmark (trumpet); Laura Caviani (piano). Recording information: Pete's Basement Studio, Westwood, MA; Riverside Productions, Mosinee, WI.
by Scott Yanow
The John Coltrane-inspired tenor saxophonist John Greiner is in top form throughout the well-conceived From A to B set. Mostly featured in a quartet or quintet with one of two rhythm sections and sometimes either John Allmark or Robert Kase on trumpet, Greiner performs six of his originals and four standards. Highlights include the offbeat and catchy ballad "Remember Me," a stretched-out Coltrane-style blues "From A to B," Horace Silver's obscure "Adjustment," and a trumpet-bass duet on "Star Dust." The musicians all play quite well and deserve to be much better known. This set is easily recommended to fans of modern straight-ahead jazz and is one of Greiner's best recordings to date. ~
Tenor saxophonist's second release, standards and originals Personnel: John Greiner (tenor saxophone); Robert Kase, John Allmark (trumpet); Laura Caviani (piano). Recording information: Pete's Basement Studio, Westwood, MA; Riverside Productions, Mosinee, WI.
John Greiner also appears on numerous recordings by John Altenburgh, Johnny & The MoTones, The Mark Ladley Trio, The Kenny Hadley Big Band and Bob Kase. Check out those artist pages for more John Greiner performances.
