...outstanding.
Winner of the 2007 & 2008 ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Awards, Denver-based pianist Ben Markley unveils his new quintet featuring the talents of modern-trumpet genius Greg Gisbert. Well-rooted in the tradition of Bud Powell, Phineas Newborn Jr., and Oscar Peterson, Markley's playing and compositions explore the history while always looking forward. The album's one standard, "But Beautiful," gets a delicate treatment by Markley, while the opening track, "5-20," displays his compositional strengths and pianistic prowess. Those familiar with The Maria Schneider Orchestra are no stranger to Greg Gisbert's trumpet artistry, and his playing here only reaffirms his deserved reputation. Second Introduction is Ben Markley's OA2 debut, and is a swinging journey through the mind of a young talent.
Track Listing:
1. 5-20 6:00
2. Dry 6:53
3. One for Cedar 7:42
4. The 9th One's Free 8:10
5. But Beautiful 9:28
6. As It Comes 8:43
7. And the Wind Came 7:00
8. Two to Go 6:17
Performers:
BEN MARKLEY - piano
GREG GISBERT - trumpet
JIM PISANO - tenor saxophone
EVAN GREGOR - bass
JORDAN PERLSON - drums
Production Info:
produced by BEN MARKLEY
recorded by SCOTT GRIESE, August 16, 2008
at Mile High Music Studio, Denver, CO
mixed & mastered by PAUL WICKLIFFE, October 23, 2008
at Skyline Productions, Warren, NJ (www.skylinepro.com)
cover design by JOHN BISHOP
Reviews of Second Introduction
All Music Guide (Adam Greenberg)
For his sophomore release (and his first with the OA2 label), pianist Ben Markley put together a mix of old friends and bigger players on the scene for a set of original compositions and a jumping, driving feel. The album opens with 5-20, giving each player some time to work out a solo and show what the newly formed quintet can do together. After a ...
All About Jazz (John Barron)
Denver-based pianist Ben Markley, winner of the 2007 ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award, is a well-studied musician whose achievements thus far demonstrate a willingness to stand apart from the multitude of talented young artists graduating from music colleges across the country.
Second Introduction is Markley's second recording as a leader with ...
The Voice, Sacramento (Dick Crockett)
Ben Markley is hard core, as a steelworker, but for bebop traditionalism, as here in his new ?Second Introduction.? Prominent influences from Bud Powell to Barry Harris and Phineas Newborn Jr, noted for their 'no holds barred' attitude to the great American legacy, Jazz.
Of course, many young musicians assembled after earlier evening gigs to pla ...
Cadence (Jay Collins)
Denver pianist/composer Ben Markley offers his second discographical entry on the fine (and aptly-titled), Second Introduction, comprising seven of his own modern Bop compositions side by side with one standard. Markley has also assembled a superlative quintet, including his rhythm team from his self-released debut (Spealio), bassist Evan Gregor, ...
