Tenor-saxophonist Keefe Jackson and his sextet show impressive versatility within the genre of post-bop/avant-garde jazz throughout Ready Everyday. While some of the free bop selections are reminiscent of the early Ornette Coleman Quartet, there are also sound explorations, intense ensembles, and hard-swinging and unusual tone colors. Keefe Jackson's compositions sometimes hint at his early infatuation with klezmer and Eastern European music. Cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm alternates between emulating a higher-tone bass and soloing like a rock guitarist. With cornetist Josh Berman taking impressive solos, altoist Aram Shelton showing a strong ability to swing without being tied to chord changes, and stimulating support and commentary supplied by bassist Anton Hatwich and drummer Frank Rosaly, this is a consistently intriguing and creative set full of surprises. ~ Scott Yanow
Professional Reviews
Down Beat (p.70) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "The band's identity is founded upon a common interest in playing swinging, time-based material that values ensemble coherence and individual freedom."
JazzTimes (p.71) - "READY EVERYDAY documents citizens of the Windy City's combustive jazz scene continuing to stretch, seek out the new and defy the orthodoxies, even their own."
