Andy Parsons Music: Presskit

Parsons' tunes provide ample room for meaningful dialog and interaction among th players, who make accessible music out of challenging lines and changes."

Saxophonist Andy Parsons and drummer Gene Lewin lead bassist John Patitucci and guitarist Ben Monder through a smart set of melodic Parsons originals on Flip! At no point does the improvisational interplay cease, as Lewin and Patitucci lay down the swing and Parsons and Monder dance on top. Despite the constant motion, however, this is no technical blowout. Parsons keeps the melodies sweet and flowing. His sax playing, mellifluous without becoming soppy, fits his style perfectly, and Monder's fleet-fingered but spare runs compliment the leader's horn lines nicely. Listen to the way Monder's volume swells add buoyancy to Parson's melody licks on "Miss Conception," or the way both musicians exhibit sheer joy in playing in "Lot of Our Souls." Throughout all the players just revel in the pleasure of playing straight-up, no-bullshit jazz. If you need a traditional jazz fix, you'll flip over Flip! For fans of: Bob Mintzer, Greg Osby, Pat Metheny's non-Group projects."

Ben Allison, Matt Wilson, and Charlie Hunter, desire to come down from the lofty perch jazz inhabits. Count Andy Parsons among this new breed... his saxophone work flows with a grooving ease... [Lewin's] gift lies in his frenzied dynamo attack of cymbals and skins. Think Tony Williams sits in with Weather Report... A spin of this disc is quite a delight... what jazz is supposed to be all about..."

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Parsons' playing is superb and makes a listener say, 'Where's this guy been?'"

-Bob Karlovits, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, June 2003

Sons of SOund is a New York label with a roster that includes drummer Akira Tana, the American Saxophone Quartet, and a number of the city's lesser-known talents... Shaven-headed Parsons was a semi-finalist in the 2002 Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition. Monder, from memory, has played on some Fresh Sound New Talent albums a well as working with Paul Motian's Electric Bebop Band, among others. The Parsons/Lewin project is very contemporary in concept. Lewin seems to have a jazz-rock fusion approach and the drums work well with the tenor. All the tracks are originals (and all have quirky inspration) except 'East of the Sun' which is a good place to get into what they're doing. It's been reharmonized and re-grooved and sounds very now. The tenor-guitar front line sometimes recalls the sound of Mark Turner and Kurt Rosenwinkel, but Monder (often with dark chords and unusual single lines, switching suddenly to heavy rock electric) is a very different player. Parsons tenor would fit in well with the kind of musicians centered around Matt Wilson. He plays boldly and with confidence, searching for a personal style, reminding me at times of Rick Margitza. Patitucci is excellent throughout. 'Alone in the Loveseat,' 'Lot of Our Souls,' and 'Load Cycle' (with Parsons soloing extensively on soprano) are possibly the pick of the originals. A grower, worth investigating."

-Tony Hall, Jazzwise (premier UK jazz magazine)

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This very heady small group jazz blowing session is the work of Andy Parsons, Gene Lewin, John Patitucci, and Ben Monder. The writing is as much the star as the band- thoughtful, clever but still grooving. Anchored by Patitucci's flawless playing and Monder's mind-expanding chordal inventions, the group is free to support the beat or explore Parsons' clever and surprising melodies. On the drummer: Lewin, who also works with jam band Groovelily, has a great light touch but can bear down when he has to. Listen to how he burns on the title cut when Parsons turns his solo into one extended repeating riff. Or catch how he moves aoround the kit like DeJohnette on cuts such as Alone in the Loveseat and Lot of Our Souls. Verdict: massive solos, incredible drums, transcendent composition. What's not to like? Okay, I didn't like the color of the cover."

From Drum Magazine "Picks," June 2003

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What makes FLIP! a winner is its intricate solo performances and solid approach to entertaining a jazz listening audience. This group combines the best of straight-ahead/classic jazz with world music themes, and an understandable free jazz touch that gives it a unique flavor..."

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Saxophonist Andy Parsons and drummer Gene Lewin have a formed a duo that, with the assistance of some high-level musical guests, has now produced three quality recordings. On Flip! Parsons and Lewin are joined by bassist John Patitucci and guitarist Ben Monder, two leading lights of the present jazz scene. With the exception of the standard “East of the Sun (and West of the Moon),” offered here in an appealingly skewed arrangement by Lewin, the compositions are by Parsons, and each is a gem. Parsons, a semifinalist in the 2002 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition, is a rare figure among younger jazz players, being equally gifted as an improviser and a composer. His finely crafted, often catchy tunes bring out the best in all the participants. Patitucci and Monder mesh superbly with Parsons and Lewin, the propulsive yet lyrical bass work and the moody guitar lines adding marvelous textures to the music."

-Steve Futterman, Barnes & Noble

Flip! is as tasty as a breakfast at Mad Martha's on Plum Island... The inwrought grooves are full but "Flip!" gives listeners the impression that the compositions are loose jams. In fact, the extemporaneous playing is firm and pronged... this is a welcome treat. Filled with delicious little nooks and shrewd jams, "Flip!" is a superior work of coherent modern jazz. Any fan of the genre will appreciate its nectarous rhythms and humid tapestry of sound."