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PRESS/PHOTOSResources: Selected recent press and reviews: The Times-Union,
Jacksonville, FL 4/8/2005
“[Of the five finalists in the 2004 Great American Jazz Piano Competition] Bennett Paster probably got the biggest response from the audience after he played “Yearnin,” an Oliver Nelson tune that swung.” The
Times-Union, Jacksonville, FL 4/30/04
Critical Praise for Paster, Ryan & Hall's new CD: Invisible Horizon Bennett
Paster's effort with this trio [is] a most exciting listen, for he is
certainly avoiding clichés while taking the masters to heart, and
forging his own personal brand of modern music. Paster wrote [five] of
these pieces including "Bunzo Bean," which inexplicably sounds like a
Bill Evans' take of "Watch What Happens." A brisk, quick waltz time
identifies "The Wild Kitties," and tenor saxophonist Chris Cheek joins
the band for "Epiphany" and the bright, bouncy title track. There's no
wasted motion with an effortless, clean, smooth dynamic throughout, but
Paster takes some chances interpreting standards. "Sweet &
Lovely"
uses a modal arrangement and a stretched melody, "East of the Sun"
atypically bops and bounces with a hip contemporary rhythm, while
bassist Gregory Ryan fronts the lead line of "Everything I Love." Ryan
and drummer Keith Hall are equal partners in this democratic trio, each
adding three compositions collectively, [Paster]'s heavy spirit song
"Dark Day" being the most noticeable. As a collection this CD stands up
well upon repeated listenings... showing plenty of promise for Paster
and his mates to make a definitive statement of new jazz somewhere
along the road. (****)
"Let the sidemen have their say. These rising players have collectively amassed an impressive list of credits behind jazz notables. But one thing is clear: They've definitely found their musical soul mates in each other. On their own indie release, pianist Paster, bassist Ryan and drummer Keith Hall radiate warmth, vitality, robust melodicism, and an effortless swing. All three contribute strong writing, and Paster's ballad, "If I Said Goodbye," is a gem. With a nimble, grooving, 'melodic' touch, Hall knows how to tell a story. Elegant." (*****1/2 out of a possible 5) Modern Drummer,
September, 2005 "Part of the appeal throughout [Skyline] is Paster's willingness, within a mainstream framework, to take chances. He and the trio sound relaxed, optimistic, vivacious, and Paster's hands have an infectious percussive exuberance. A beautifully melodic effort, start to finish. " AllAboutJazz.com March,
2005
"[Bennett Paster’s trio CD Skyline] with bassist Gregory Ryan and drummer Keith Hall features straight-ahead jazz - songs by all three members and a few standards- played with sparkle and originality." The Santa Fe Reporter,
April 28, 2005 Critical Praise for CDs by Organic! Sweets
Unsigned Artist of the Month: Organic! The Undoing "Groovy, improvised funk and R&B instrumentals are the brainstuff of this New York city trio. While the key centers are largely static, gonzo musicianship, telepathic group interplay, and some mindbending effects combine for a thoroughly engaging listen. Like the best signed jam bands, Organic! squeezes every drop of polyphony out of their (trio) instrumentation. Keyboardist Bennett Paster spends most of his time on the Hammond organ, but visits other vintage keys as necessary. Check it out!" Keyboard Magazine, May 2005 Reviews and Commentary about Paster’s Teaching “[Workshops
taught by Paster and Ryan] had a huge impact on the University of Arts
of Belgrade, and the community music students who were directly exposed
to [these] highly experienced U.S. jazz professors and
artists.
More than half of the workshop participants had never before played
jazz, and at the final concert they very capably performed jazz in
front of a large audience... The organizers of the Belgrade
Summertime Jazz and Blues Festival extended an invitation to Bennett
and Greg to come back to Serbia and perform at the next festival in the
summer of 2007... PA Belgrade believes that, as a result of
the
program, more students will interested in studying at the future jazz
department, thereby increasing the value and impact of this
program. The spread of American jazz will greatly enhance the
mutual understanding at a sensitive and important time of U.S.-Serbian
relations... PA Belgrade highly recommends Bennett and Greg
to
other posts and believes that they would be of great benefit to
performing arts and jazz artists around the world.” “The kids really loved the performance you gave, and the response they had was a very genuine and heartfelt reaction to something that was of terrific quality and depth. Your wonderful playing was equaled by the graciousness that you and your trio showed, and the kids and teachers were captivated. Truly, it was marvelous.” John Truitt, Director of the Music Department at Albuquerque Academy, Albuq., NM Critical Praise for the Bennett Paster & Gregory Ryan’s CD Grupo Yanqui: “If it were somehow possible to bottle or otherwise channel the energy of this group and use it to generate electricity, the country would hardly ever need to worry about power outages. An exaggeration perhaps, but still an apt description of the heat this group generates with just five players performing at any one time. [T]here are elaborate rhythms and harmonies that take time to unfold and which are played at a tempo allowing the listener to get the full impact of each melody's maturation process. ... This album will do very well and is recommended.” Dave Nathan, AllAboutJazz.com, February 2002
“AMG EXPERT REVIEW: Highly creative and complex original music... Involved arrangements, passionate solos, and vigorous, spontaneous interplay, all with a melodic and cosmopolitan Latin funk touch. Highly recommended.” (4 stars out of a possible 5) David R. Adler, All Music Guide, www.allmusic.com, December 2001
Jim Josselyn, AllAboutJazz.com, January 2002
“Although a North American production, the recording has all the savory taste of the islands and the Southern Hemisphere. This band regularly heats up the temperature and lays down a bountiful dose of syncopated vibrations. It is a solid offering.” Frank Rubolino, Cadence Magazine, April 2002
“Grupo Yanqui is headed by the young New Yorkers Bennett Paster and Gregory Ryan. They play a brand of jazz that is very much in your head. It is erudite and inventive and very, very listenable. These fine young musicians are intent on producing a hip brand of Latin Jazz drawn through the high polish of an Anglo prism. Saxophonists Terry Cabrera and Chris Cheek carry the band from one song to the next, hoisted by Paster's full-fisted piano. Latin percussion is evident everywhere, providing the music with a salsa shiver. Grupo Yanqui is a fine start. It is about time this group be heard by a label.” C. Michael Bailey, AllAboutJazz.com, May 2002
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