Bass World Magazine Review
Current mood: bouncy

Hello Everyone,

This review was recently published in Bass World magazine, the publication of the International Society of Bassists...it's really nice to get some recognition from my peers!

Michael Blanco

"In The Morning"

Michael Blanco, doublebass
Rich Perry, tenor sax
Aaron Goldberg, piano
Alan Ferber, trombone
Bill Campbell, drums
Rob Wilkerson, alto sax

www.blancobass.com


New York City always has room for another great bass player. And bassist Michael Blanco delivers a superb recording; his debut album, "In The Morning." This two-time recipient of the ASCAP Foundation Young Composer Award (both in 2005 and 2006) presents some of those winning pieces on this new release from Fresh Sound Records.

All of the pieces included are by the bassist. His approach to composition is fresh and the arrangements are lush and compelling. The title track, "In The Morning," features the tenor sax play of Rich Perry and a nice solo by the bassist. "Point of View" swings in a medium tempo with a rich solo by alto saxophonist Wilkerson in this tight arrangement by Blanco. An up tempo groove sets the stage for the considerable talents of pianist Goldberg who really cooks on "Uptown Meditations;" and nice choruses by Rich Perry.

On his composition, "Rainy Afternoon," the bassist is featured and he delivers a lovely solo on this pensive ballad. Michael opens "Reverie" with an arco lead accompanied by pianist Goldberg. This haunting piece features the alto play of Rob Wilkerson. The arrangement of "Moodswings" is warm and swinging, highlighting trombonist Ferber, a cool piano stretch by Aaron Goldberg and a laid back tenor sax solo. The last track, "A Long Way From Home," is all Blanco; the bassist shows his chops as he lays down a funky groove and gets your toes tapping! Nice.

Michael Blanco was raised in San Diego, California and moved to Texas after receiving a scholarship to attend the world class Jazz Studies program at The University of North Texas. While he was there, he played, toured and recorded with the One O'Clock Lab Band and studied with renowned bass teacher Jeff Bradetich. Currently residing in New York City, Blanco stays busy with his jazz quintet as well as doing quite a bit of work on Broadway shows. He has played and/or recorded with Norah Jones (also a UNT alum,) Carole King, Maureen McGovern and Kristen Chenoweth. At the 2003 ISB Convention in Richmond, Virginia, Michael was a finalist in the Jazz Competition – playing with the legendary pianist Bill Mays and drummer Tim Froncek. Congratulations to Michael on this well done debut effort.

review by Paul Pearce
February 26, 2007

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Jazz Times Magazine Review!!!
Current mood: giddy

Hello everyone,

I was very happy to see my debut album, In The Morning, reviewed in the May 2007 issue of Jazz Times. Jazz Times is undoubtedly one of the top publications in the jazz world and I'm so happy that they liked my album! Look for the May issue on newsstands, it's the issue with Pat Metheny and Brad Mehldau on the cover...

Here's the review:

Michael Blanco
In The Morning(Fresh Sound/New Talent)

This outstanding release certainly doesn't sound like a debut album. Blanco, a repeat winner of the ASCAP Young Composer Award and a solid bassist to boot, has combined a dynamite sextet and 10 impressive modern-cool tunes for utterly winning results. The compositions share a dusky, imploring quality, with catchy, insistent hooks and compelling harmonies--several, such as the haunting "Point Of View" make the group sound like a miniature big band. It's a remarkable introduction that leaves one eager to hear more.

--Forrest Dylan Bryant, Jazz Times

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Another New Review...
Current mood: creative

Hello!

This review by Jim Trageser recently appeared in both North County Times/The Californian and Turbula.net...

Mature, polished jazz

Reviewed March 2007

In the Morning
By Michael Blanco
Fresh Sound New Talent: 2006

Transplanted San Diego native Michael Blanco, now a New York-based bassist, places himself among the top jazz bassists and composers with his new album. Polished, confident, imaginative, "In the Morning" is a mature album of straight-ahead jazz.

Blanco resists the temptation many bassists face when leading their own session: there are precious few bass solos here, nor is the bass mixed higher than it would be were his name not on the album's cover.

Instead, the focus is on the music and the lead instrumentalists. Blanco wrote all 10 compositions here, and if there's nothing earth-shattering here (nothing to put Blanco into the immortal territor of a Monk or Mingus), there are still some very fresh, strong songs.

Rich Perry's tenor sax and Aaron Goldberg's piano provide most of the melodic leads, while Alan Ferber's trombone offers a rich harmonic presence. Drummer Bill Campbell teams with Blanco to provide the supple foundation for the lead instrumentalists.

It's a promising debut, and ought to put Blanco on most jazz fans' listening lists.

Review by Jim Trageser. Jim is a writer and editor living in Escondido, Calif., and was a contributor to the "Grove Press Guide to Blues on CD" (1993) and "The Routledge Encyclopedia of the Blues" (2005).

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2 New Reviews in Primetime A&E Magazine!!
Current mood: giggly

I was very happy to see my album In The Morning reviewed by two different critics in the January issue of Primetime A&E magazine. Both critics had a lot of really nice things to say about the album...check it out!
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MICHAEL BLANCO
In The Morning
Fresh Sound New Talent

Judging from their prolific output, Barcelona-based Fresh Sound Records has a lock on signing and recording young jazz talent as evidenced by the dozens of CD's they release each year for the US and European markets. Worth far more than a passing listen is American bassist Michael Blanco's tight little ensemble recording called In The Morning (Fresh Sound New Talent), one of the strongest, most affable straight-ahead jazz recordings released late last year.

What makes Blanco's CD work so well is that he writes tunes that are both memorable and succinct- ten tracks make up the CD's reasonable 53-minute running time. The opening number, "Within Reach", has the kind of optimistic vibe and friendly melody reminiscent of the best tunes from the Yellowjackets. Nope, there are no electronics, gimmicks or sweetening here; this is good, modern music with roots in the jazz tradition. It's also a testament to Blanco's good taste and training that his compositions treat his players equally, as on the title track, a soulful little groover where each musician's contribution is important but one player doesn't overshadow the other. Other highlights include the hip duet between Blanco and his drummer called "A Long Way From Home", the scrappy "One More Time" and the classy "Moodswings", punctuated by a winning solo from the much-in-demand pianist Aaron Goldberg.

In addition to Goldberg, Blanco's regular band includes Rich Perry (tenor saxophone), Rob Wilkerson (alto saxophone), Alan Ferber (trombone) and Bill Campbell (drums). Engineer Michael Brorby favors a warm, naturalistic balance between the musicians that conveys a welcoming sense of space, like you've been invited to hear Blanco and his group in a well-appointed living room.
--Nick Bewsey
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While jazz bassist/composer Michael Blanco may look stereotypical Young Lion/GQ, don't be misled- he's a composer of remarkable promise, and no slouch as a bassist, to boot. Morning features ten lyrical, quietly engaging originals, mostly on the mellow side of mainstream hard bop a la Horace Silver (in his less funky moments), and the gorgeous tenor sax of Rich Perry, whose approach recalls the shiny, hearty with a soft-chocolate-center style(s) of Benny Golson, Junior Cook and George Coleman. Blanco's writing/arranging has that rare melodic/harmonic sophistication that makes his quintet sound much larger, all the while avoiding sounding like 839 other straight-no-chaser discs. Get in on the ground floor, wake to Morning now.
--Mark Keresman

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Jazz Week Review
Current mood: artistic

Hello Everyone!

This review of my new album was featured in the December 4 issue of Jazz Week. You can download the issue for free at: http://www.jazzweek.com/

Michael Blanco In The Morning (Fresh Sounds)

THE WINNER OF ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Award in 2005 and 2006, bassist Michael Blanco seems to be making all the right moves. The San Diego native now based in New York City has played with such varied folk as Doc Cheatham, Norah Jones, Randy Brecker as well as a host of Broadway show bands. He throws himself wholly into harmonic rich and sophisticated style of jazz on In The Morning that is proof that he's absorbed a fair amount of theory in his time, but, as those composition awards prove, he's got a good ear for melody. Some will no doubt also be impressed with his tasteful solos (particularly on "Point Of View"), but the real standout in that department is pianist Aaron Goldberg, who breaks these Blanco originals wide open with stunning work on nearly every track. Highlights include the ebullient "Uptown Meditations", the galloping "One More Time" and the sort of sad, sort of happy "Within Reach". Another fine effort from the Fresh Sounds label.
--Tad Hendrickson

Contact: Jana La Sorte
Phone: (973) 762-5580
Email: jana@janalynpr.com
Add Date: Now
Release Date: December 5

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3:37, Baby!
Current mood: accomplished

Well, I ran the Philadelphia marathon today...my 4th marathon in the last year and a half. And...I ran it in 3hrs/37min (an average of 8:17/mile). I shattered my previous best time by 17 minutes and I couldn't be happier with the results.

For those of you who are runners out there, I highly recommend Philly over the NYC marathon. The course was scenic and flat, the weather perfect, and the crowds supportive.

What more could a runner ask for? How about having your sister meet you at mile 20 with a iced double espresso from Starbucks? Now, that's perfection!

Special thanks to Jenny and Chris for being my support team in Philly. What a great day.

Michael

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New CD Available!!!
Current mood: jubilant

Hello Everyone,

I'm very happy to announce that my debut album as a bandleader In The Morning is now available on the Fresh Sound/New Talent record label. I'm very proud of the record, it features 10 of my original tunes, as well as an incredible band:

Rich Perry- tenor saxophone
Aaron Goldberg- piano
Alan Ferber- trombone
Bill Campbell- drums
Rob Wilkerson- alto saxophone (tracks 3,8)
Michael Blanco- bass

To show your love and purchase a copy, click here:

MICHAEL BLANCO: In The Morning

You can also try: http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/newreleases.php

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