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**************************REVIEWS
FOR "NEW HORIZONS"**************************
I love a good big band.
Especially when it swings like Count Basie...The leader's
fluid trombone voice and immaculate technique combine with
deep feelings that allow him to communicate intuitively with
his audience...The powerful rocker "No Harm, No Foul" drives
hard and fast, featuring Haines and tenor saxophonist Tedd
Baker. Both players push with a crisp intensity that
energizes the band like a shot of adrenaline, and they
finish with fierce fours that set the house on fire.
Everything comes together on this highly recommended big
band session, which explodes with creativity while providing
musicianship of the highest caliber. (Read the entire
review by Jim Santella on
All About Jazz.)
This is the second CD by Ryan
Haines for Sea Breeze...and when you hear this offering you
realize that Ryan Haines is a world-class talent...His solo
dexterity and tone are quite amazing..."Swing Open" is an
absolute delight with a nod to the classic big band sounds
of the Swing Era with exciting solos from Andy Axelrad -
Alto, Tim Leahey - trumpet, Ryan - trombone and Steve Fidyk
- drums. "Bottom End Shuffle" is a surefire bouncy fun
number with gurgling baritone from Doug Morgan plus an
earthy solo from Ryan this time on bass trombone...Excellent
band, excellent soloists all fronted by the breathtaking
trombone technique of the leader. Highly recommended.
UK CD REVIEWS with Peter Green
Trombonist Ryan Haines'
second Sea Breeze CD is a swinging big band session, full of
potent originals and tight ensembles. The leader is a
featured soloist in the catchy Latin-flavored "New
Horizons", with a seemingly endless fountain of ideas.
Haines' playful "A Problem With the Sun" has inspired
trumpet solos by Tim Leahey and Rich Sigler...Highly
Recommended. (Read the entire review by Ken Dryden on
Barnes and Noble.)
With nine tasteful charts
ranging from contemporary to swing, from blistering to
mellow, there's plenty of heart and heat to enjoy on "New
Horizons". The band plays fast and furious on the
quick-moving "No Harm, No Foul" featuring a hot and heavy
duel of sorts between Haines on the bone and Tedd Baker on
tenor. With a sharp and vigorous performance by his
hand-picked crew complimenting the many voices of his
trombone, Haines engineers a persuasive and formidable
recording... (Read the entire review by Edward Blanco on
All About Jazz.)
Ryan Haines debuts a new CD
which showcases his trombone and original compositions...It
is powerful, forceful and at times graceful! Check out the
trumpet section on "A Problem With the Sun". Tim Leahey and
Rich Sigler deliver improvisations in top form. Ryan's "New
Horizons" starts the disc off with a bang. He plays with
sure control and at times raw power...This is extremely well
crafted music with the horses to execute the goods. (Read
the entire review by Dr. Richard Holland on
INTERNET JAZZ RADIO 247.)
Five stars. Be still
my heart! This orchestra is one of the smoothest and
best-rehearsed I've heard in years...I admit to being
partial to jazz trombone: Bill Harris, J.J. Johnson, Kai
Winding and Bill Watrous really light my fire. Well, Haines
is at least their equal... His tone is crystal-clear; his
speed, accuracy and range are sensational. (Read the entire
review by
Ric Bang/Davis Enterprise - The Very Best of.)
This album...is surely
everything that (Haines') fans were hoping for from a
follow-up to his earlier "To the Sky". The writing is
consistently solid throughout and the soloing from Haines
and others also is first-rate... Haines' playing on "Without
You" is lyrical and beautiful. The purity of his melodic
phrasing on this and the ballad "Goodnight Story" are where
Haines truly shines as a trombonist...This recording is
enjoyable and highly recommended. (Read the entire review
on page 68 of the ITA Journal October 2006/Volume 34, Number
4)
Ryan Haines' second big-band
CD employs a cadre of excellent players from the Washington
DC region...the band displays exemplar precision and
cohesiveness, and swings as hard as anybody around. (Read
the entire review from
JazzTimes.)
Having tested the water with
his first big band album, "To the Sky", trombonist Ryan
Haines springs from the high board, executes a triple
somersault, and lands with barely a splash on his second,
"New Horizons". (Read the entire review by Jack Bowers on
All About Jazz.)
***************************REVIEWS
FOR "TO THE SKY"*****************************
Trombonist/arranger Ryan Haines brings
together a powerhouse group of musicians for a 55-minute set
of big band glory <in To the Sky>. The arrangements and
the performance are outstanding. Noteworthy is the solo work,
especially the dazzling trombone of Ryan Haines.
ITG Journal
Ryan Haines is another young giant who
brilliantly displays his own style, a wonderful mix of Bill
Watrous, Frank Rosolino, Carl Fontana and many others on this
album. The personnel are all excellent! It's a killer rhythm
section and there are excellent soloists in all sections. The
recording gives us a well-rehearsed yet spontaneous sound,
with flawless chops in the entire band. With all its wonderful
energy, this is a tidy clean album that has been mixed and put
together very well, with no rough edges anywhere.
ITA Journal
A new name on me last January, Ryan's solo
work is brilliant and his arranging style is unique. I'm not
really sure I can compare his writing with anyone else's.
After hearing decades of big band arrangements it gets harder
for composers to write and execute in a way that will impress
an avid enthusiast. He's done that with me. I can always
measure how well I like an arrangement by how often I need to
stop it and review a section I just heard. It happened (and
continues to happen) several times with "To the Sky".
Mark P. Channon
DJ, WWUH, Hartford
Connecticut
"To the Sky" takes off quickly and makes a
flawless three-point landing at the end of a highly enjoyable
flight.
Jack Bowers
All About Jazz
All the soloists are accomplished, with
Haines being the standout. Incredibly fluid and melodic,
Haines possesses a technical ability equaled by few, reminding
me of Carl Fontana. He solos with the virtuosity of Conrad
Herwig, utilizing some of the pentatonic phrases found in
Herwig's solos, particularly on "Beach Assignment" and "Like
Thunder", where Haines takes particularly melodic solos.
Additionally, the big band writing by Haines is as good as it
gets. It's fresh and very exciting, with some extremely unique
and original composition ideas.
Craig Brenan
Online Trombone
Journal
Soloists Haines, Murray, Hureau, Inouye,
Munce, Gunnison, Israel and Applegate provide highly charged
flashes of passion. From the bottom-most bass trombone to the
highest of the saxophones and trumpets, Haines' big band lets
it rip. Fit for heroes, the music celebrates both the awesome
power and fighting spirit of servicemen everywhere. His
performance and that of his peers should make all servicemen
proud.
Jim Santella
All About Jazz
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